Shaw’s Century: A Phoenix Rising from Cricket’s Ashes
Prithvi Shaw's century against Mumbai in a Ranji warm-up match signals his intent to return to the Indian team.
Discarded Indian opener Prithvi Shaw fired a bold reminder to national selectors with a commanding 186-run knock against his former team Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy warm-up match on October 6, 2025, at the MCA International Cricket Stadium. The 25-year-old right-hander, who has been out of the international fold since 2021, showcased vintage aggression on a batsman-friendly surface, forging a mammoth 305-run opening stand with Arshin Kulkarni before falling to left-arm spinner Shams Mulani. This explosive innings, following a gritty century on his Maharashtra debut earlier in the Buchi Babu tournament, signals Shaw's renewed hunger to reclaim his spot in the national setup amid a domestic resurgence.
Shaw, once hailed as a prodigy after his sensational Test debut century (134 off 154 balls) against the West Indies in Rajkot at age 18 in 2018, has endured a turbulent career marked by injuries, disciplinary issues, and inconsistent form. Across five tests, he amassed 339 runs at an average of 42.37, including two fifties, with his last red-ball appearance for India in the 2020 pink-ball test in Adelaide. In limited-overs cricket, Shaw featured in six ODIs and one T20I, his final white-ball outing being a 2021 match against Sri Lanka.
Last season's underwhelming IPL stint with Delhi Capitals—scoring just 182 runs at 18.20—coupled with weight concerns and a knee injury, led to his national axing. Switching domestic sides from Mumbai to Maharashtra for 2025-26, Shaw's move aims to revive his fortunes under captain Ankit Bawne, leveraging the state's balanced squad.
Reaching his fifty off 84 balls and century in 140 deliveries, Shaw dominated both pace and spin with fluent drives and lofted covers, underlining his technical growth on a pitch offering true bounce. The partnership with Kulkarni overwhelmed Mumbai's attack, putting the bowlers under relentless pressure. Shaw's dismissal came via a sharp catch at slip, but not before he had etched a statement performance against familiar foes.
Earlier, in the Buchi Babu opener against Chhattisgarh on a Chennai turner favouring spinners, Shaw's aggressive tonne highlighted his adaptability. Maharashtra, drawn in Elite Group B, opens their Ranji campaign against Kerala on October 15, followed by fixtures against Chandigarh, Saurashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Goa, and Madhya Pradesh—opportunities for Shaw to build momentum.
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The innings arrives at a pivotal juncture for Indian cricket's top order, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's futures uncertain post their ODI captaincy transitions. Selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, prioritise domestic runs for white-ball recalls, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup looming. Shaw's knock, a poll in The Times of India asking if it secures his India return, has sparked debate among fans and experts.
While Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene once backed Shaw's potential, recent IPL benchings underscore the need for consistency. As Shaw eyes a national comeback, this century serves as both defiance and determination, reminding stakeholders of the talent that once lit up global stages.
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