Fresh start, fresh century: Prithvi Shaw announces himself in Maharashtra colours

Prithvi Shaw needed just one innings to underline that the reset button has been hit. On a tricky Chennai surface in the pre-season Buchi Babu tournament, the 25-year-old opener blasted 111 off 141 balls on debut for Maharashtra, outscoring the rest of his team-mates (92 combined) and reminding Indian domestic cricket that his bat still talks loud.

A new badge, the same attacking soul

• Shaw walked out with fellow youngster Sachin Dhas, raced to 30 off 23 balls and later leapt from 91 to 97 with a straight six off leg-spinner Shubham Agrawal.

• When Maharashtra slid from 71/0 to 88/4, he shelved the fireworks, soaked up the spin and rebuilt before pressing the accelerator again.

• The century came with a quiet push to mid-wicket—no big celebration, just a nod that the first hurdle in a long road back is cleared.

Rebuilt body, rebooted mind

Dropped by Mumbai last season for patchy form and fitness—and ignored in the IPL 2025 auction—Shaw spent the off-season on a strict fitness and diet regimen.

“My trainer and dietician changed me physically and mentally. It shows on the field,” he said after stumps.

The results were visible: three sharp catches on day one, then a chanceless hundred while others groped for survival.

Living in the present, one day at a time

Once guilty of “thinking too far ahead,” Shaw now keeps a daily schedule, shuts out social-media noise and leans on family and childhood coach Prashant Shetty for balance.

“I’ve seen enough ups and downs to know everything is possible. This season I’m starting from scratch, taking it day by day.”

Why Maharashtra? Familiar faces, clean slate

The move south was eased by old allies—captain Ankit Bawne, India A team-mate Ruturaj Gaikwad, seamer Mukesh Choudhary and spinner Prashant Solanki.
“Mumbai isn’t far, and half the team I already know,” he smiled. The switch offers less spotlight, more space to rebuild.

What’s next?

• Maharashtra will lean on Shaw at the top when the Ranji Trophy begins.

• A strong red-ball season keeps the India ‘A’ door ajar; a revived IPL auction value isn’t out of the question either.

• For now, Shaw’s target is simple: stack runs, stay fit, prove the narrative wrong.

One match, one hundred and one confident statement: Prithvi Shaw is back on the climb, and this time he plans to enjoy every rung.