How Did Maharashtra Fare in Their Disastrous Start to the Ranji Trophy Season?
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Synopsis
Maharashtra's journey in the Ranji Trophy took a shocking turn with a disastrous start against Kerala. As the team crumbled early on, the spotlight turns to Prithvi Shaw, whose much-anticipated debut ended in disappointment. Will this setback derail their season, or can they bounce back against strong opponents?
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra started their Ranji Trophy season poorly.
- Prithvi Shaw had a disappointing debut, scoring a duck.
- Kerala's bowlers dominated early, particularly MD Nidheesh.
- Maharashtra needs to regroup quickly to salvage their season.
- Group B is highly competitive, posing challenges for Maharashtra.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 (NationPress) Maharashtra had a nightmarish beginning to the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy season, facing off against last year's runners-up, Kerala, at the Green Field Stadium on Wednesday. They found themselves struggling at 5-4 just four overs into their innings.
Kerala’s fast bowler MD Nidheesh ended the debut of Prithvi Shaw for Maharashtra with just four balls bowled, trapping him lbw in the very first over. He followed up by dismissing Siddhesh Veer on the next ball, and then Basil NP struck by removing all-rounder Arshin Kulkarni with his very first delivery. Skipper Ankeet Bawana’s attempt to stabilize the innings quickly faltered as Basil delivered another challenging ball that took out his stumps.
Shaw, who was highly anticipated, will feel let down after finishing the match without scoring. He had previously made a stunning century for Maharashtra in a warm-up match against his former side, Mumbai.
After a tumultuous time with Mumbai and losing his place in the red-ball format, Shaw's transfer to Maharashtra was seen as a crucial move to rejuvenate his red-ball career.
Following his non-sale at the IPL 2025 auction and facing scrutiny regarding his form and fitness, Shaw decided to join Maharashtra in hopes of reviving his domestic career and securing more playing time. He made a notable impact in a competitive outing for Maharashtra by scoring a century against Chhattisgarh during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in August.
At the time of this report, Maharashtra was struggling at 58-5, with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jalaj Saxena at the crease, scoring 19 and 22 runs, respectively.
Last season (2024-25), Maharashtra concluded in fifth place in the Elite Group A, managing two wins, two draws, and three losses out of seven matches.
Maharashtra has been placed in Group B, which features Kerala (the previous season’s runners-up), alongside other formidable teams including Saurashtra, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Goa, all of whom are strong competitors in the domestic league.
Point of View
Maharashtra's performance raises concerns about their preparedness for the season. With key players like Prithvi Shaw facing challenges, the team's strategy moving forward will be crucial. The potential for redemption remains, but they must first overcome the hurdles presented by a competitive Group B.
NationPress
15/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Maharashtra in their opening match of the Ranji Trophy?
Maharashtra had a disastrous start, collapsing to 5-4 within just four overs against Kerala.
Who was the standout bowler for Kerala against Maharashtra?
MD Nidheesh was the standout bowler, taking two wickets in his first over.
What was Prithvi Shaw's performance in his debut match?
Prithvi Shaw had a disappointing debut, getting out for a duck after just four balls.
How did Maharashtra perform in the previous Ranji season?
In the previous season, Maharashtra finished fifth in Elite Group A with two wins and three losses.
What are the expectations for Maharashtra in the current season?
There are high expectations for Maharashtra to bounce back and compete effectively in Group B.
