Prithvi Shaw set for Maharashtra debut; Gaikwad returns, Ayush Mhatre to captain Mumbai at Buchi Babu

Prithvi Shaw has been named in Maharashtra’s 17-member squad for the All India Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Chennai (August 18–September 9), marking his first outing since switching from Mumbai last month after obtaining an NOC following his omission for fitness and discipline issues in the 2024–25 season. The squad, led by Ankit Bawne, also features Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is set to play his first professional game since sustaining an elbow injury during IPL 2025, having only featured in an India A intra-squad warm-up since then. Gaikwad and wicketkeeper Saurabh Nawale are expected to be available for only the opening game before joining West Zone for the Duleep Trophy semi-final starting September 4 in Bengaluru.

Maharashtra’s refresh: Shaw debut and Gaikwad’s return

Shaw’s move to Maharashtra is a fresh start after being dropped by Mumbai’s Ranji squad last season, and the Buchi Babu provides timely red-ball match time ahead of the domestic calendar. Gaikwad’s inclusion offers Maharashtra top-order stability and leadership experience, even as his availability is brief before Duleep duty alongside Nawale. Maharashtra have been grouped for the Chennai tournament with fixtures slated across club venues; reports indicate a Chhattisgarh opener at Guru Nanak College Ground for Bawne’s side.

Maharashtra squad (17)

Ankit Bawne (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw, Siddhesh Veer, Sachin Dhas, Arshin Kulkarni, Harshal Kate, Siddharth Mhatre, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Mandar Bhandari (wk), Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Pradeep Dadhe, Vicky Ostwal, Hitesh Walunj, Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Mumbai hand captaincy to Ayush Mhatre

Mumbai have named 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre as captain for the Buchi Babu, rewarding his standout U-19 tour of England where he topped the Youth Tests with 340 runs in four innings and his eye-catching IPL 2025 cameo with Chennai Super Kings as Gaikwad’s injury replacement. The squad includes Sarfaraz Khan and his younger brother Musheer Khan, who returns after a neck fracture from a road accident ruled him out of last domestic season; his only game since was IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 for Punjab Kings. MCA’s youth-first call also reflects a grooming plan for leadership depth, with Suved Parkar as vice-captain.

Mumbai squad (17)

Ayush Mhatre (c), Musheer Khan, Divyansh Saxena, Sarfaraz Khan, Suved Parkar (vc), Pragnesh Kanpillewar, Harsh Aghav, Sairaj Patil, Aakash Parkar, Aakash Anand (wk), Hardik Tamore (wk), Shreyas Gurav, Yash Dicholkar, Himanshu Singh, Royston Dias, Sylvester D’Souza, Irfan Umair.

What to watch in Chennai

• Shaw’s reset: How he navigates the new-ball in multi-day conditions after a difficult 2024–25 and a mid-career move will be central to Maharashtra’s starts.

• Gaikwad’s return: Elbow load and rhythm in his first full game back, with an eye on his limited availability before West Zone duties.

• Mhatre’s leadership: Transitioning U-19 form and IPL temperament into senior-state captaincy against experienced domestic attacks.

Key facts at a glance

The Buchi Babu has long been a pre-season proving ground; this year it doubles as a stage for Shaw’s reboot, Gaikwad’s fitness check, and Mumbai’s bet on Mhatre’s next-step leadership — three threads that could shape the early domestic season for two of India’s most-watched state sides.