Prithvi Shaw Slams Century Against Former Team Mumbai Ahead of Ranji Trophy Return

Out-of-favour India batter Prithvi Shaw is showing clear signs of a strong comeback. After beginning his stint with Maharashtra impressively in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in August, the 25-year-old made another statement in a warm-up match against his former side, Mumbai. The opening batter struck a fluent century on Day 1 of a three-day warm-up match between Mumbai and Maharashtra in Pune.

Shaw and fellow opener Arshin Kulkarni shared a mammoth 305-run stand for the opening wicket on Day 1, coming off just 49.4 overs. While Prithvi took his time to settle, Arshin went on a big-hitting spree, smashing 186 off 140 deliveries, including 33 boundaries and four sixes.

Prithvi brought up his fifty off 84 balls and reached his hundred in 144 deliveries. The right-hander looked assured against both pace and spin on an excellent batting surface at the MCA International Cricket Ground.

The "daddy hundreds" from Prithvi and Arshin came against a strong Mumbai bowling line-up featuring captain Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and spinners Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani. All-rounder Shivam Dube, who recently featured in the Asia Cup, was also part of the Mumbai side. Shardul endured a tough outing, conceding 75 runs in seven overs across the first two sessions.

Shaw has made a bright start to his maiden stint with Maharashtra after moving from Mumbai ahead of the season. He had earlier scored a century on debut for Maharashtra against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Chennai.

Shaw was dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad last year due to fitness and form issues. Although he was part of Mumbai's victorious Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, he was later omitted from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. In a bid for consistent game time, Shaw made the switch to Maharashtra.

Speaking after his hundred in the Buchi Babu tournament, Shaw said he was willing to rebuild from the ground up if necessary.

"I don't mind coming from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs in my life. And I've been up there, I've been down there, I've come back up. So, everything is possible, I feel. I'm kind of a very confident guy, confident in myself, my work ethics. I feel, I hope that this season will go really well for me as well as for my team."

Shaw, who led India to U19 World Cup glory in 2018, made his Test debut later that year as a teenager. Once earmarked as India's next big batting talent, the Mumbai-born player has struggled in recent years with issues relating to form, fitness, and discipline.

He last represented India in 2021 and went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, but his recent performances suggest that Prithvi Shaw may finally be on the road to redemption.