🏏 Prithvi Shaw bags four-ball duck on Maharashtra debut in Ranji Trophy against Sanju Samson’s Kerala

Mumbai batter’s move to Maharashtra starts on a disappointing note as his poor red-ball form continues.

Prithvi Shaw’s much-anticipated debut for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season got off to a disastrous start as the right-handed batter was dismissed for a four-ball duck against Kerala, a team led by Sanju Samson.

The 25-year-old, who recently made the move from Mumbai to Maharashtra in search of a fresh start, found himself trapped LBW by Nidheesh MD in the opening over of the innings. Shaw’s dismissal came amid a top-order collapse that left Maharashtra reeling at 0/3 in just 1.1 overs.

Maharashtra’s horror start in opening fixture

After Shaw’s early dismissal, Kerala pacers maintained relentless pressure.

• Arshin Kulkarni fell for a golden duck off Basil NP, while
• Siddhesh Veer edged one behind to keeper Mohammed Azharuddeen on the very next delivery.

Within minutes, the scoreboard read 0/3, and soon 5/4 as captain Ankit Bawne also departed cheaply. The early collapse completely derailed Maharashtra’s innings in their opening red-ball match of the season.

Star-studded clash: Samson vs Gaikwad

The game attracted attention for its lineup of high-profile names.
While Shaw and Ruturaj Gaikwad bolstered Maharashtra’s side, Sanju Samson made his return to first-class cricket for Kerala after being left out of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour.

Gaikwad, batting at number four, was tasked with stabilizing the innings after the early damage.

Prithvi Shaw’s search for redemption

For Shaw, this outing was expected to mark the beginning of a turnaround. Once considered India’s next batting prodigy after his sparkling 2018 Test debut, Shaw has endured a rocky few years — both on and off the field.

Despite amassing 4,556 first-class runs at an average of 46.02, his career trajectory has been hindered by injuries, inconsistent form, and off-field controversies.

He was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji squad last season, with questions raised about his discipline and fitness. His last outing for Mumbai came during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final in December 2024.

The switch to Maharashtra was seen as an opportunity for a fresh start — but his debut innings suggests his struggles may not be over yet.

The road ahead

Maharashtra will look to bounce back in the ongoing fixture, relying on senior players like Gaikwad, Bawne, and Naushad Shaikh to rebuild their campaign. For Shaw, the focus will be on rediscovering his touch and proving his red-ball credentials once again to selectors and fans alike.

As the Ranji season progresses, all eyes will be on whether the once-promising opener can script a redemption story and reignite his career in domestic cricket.