A striking image of Prithvi Shaw, whose recent performance has been a talking point in the cricket world.
Prithvi Shaw has ignited the Ranji Trophy season, smashing his inaugural century for Maharashtra in only his second outing with the team. Facing Chandigarh at the historic Cricket Stadium, Sector-16, Shaw reached his magnificent milestone in a blistering 72 balls.
After a modest start in the first innings, where he managed just eight runs, Shaw roared back with an astonishing display of batting. Capitalizing on Maharashtra’s strong 104-run first-innings lead, he exploded on the third morning, racing to his century with an impressive 13 boundaries. This remarkable feat secures his place in history as the sixth-fastest centurion in the Ranji Trophy.
This sensational return to form is particularly significant for Shaw, who had a less-than-ideal start to his Ranji Trophy campaign last week, being dismissed for a duck against Kerala. However, he quickly found his rhythm, contributing a vital half-century that helped Maharashtra establish their lead. This latest century triumphantly ends a challenging 20-month drought, his last triple-figure score dating back to February 2024 for Mumbai.
The previous season proved difficult for Shaw, as he was sidelined from the Mumbai team following concerns over his fitness and discipline. Now, with this powerful performance, he is clearly on a mission to rejuvenate his career and reclaim his place among the top echelons of Indian cricket.
His move to Maharashtra came after receiving permission to transfer from the Mumbai team in June 2024.
“At this pivotal stage of my career, I truly believe that joining the Maharashtra team will be instrumental in my growth as a cricketer,” Shaw commented. “I am profoundly thankful to the Mumbai Cricket Association for all the support and incredible opportunities they have given me throughout the years.”
Once hailed as one of cricket’s brightest young prospects, Shaw has proudly represented India in five Tests, six One Day Internationals, and one T20 International. His most recent international outing was in July 2021. For two years prior to his recent dip in form, he consistently delivered strong performances in domestic competitions.
Shaw’s first-class career statistics are impressive, with 4556 runs amassed over 58 matches at an average of 46.02. This includes 13 centuries and 18 half-centuries, highlighted by a monumental highest score of 379. In List-A cricket, he boasts 3399 runs at an average of 55.72 and an explosive strike rate of 125.74. His T20 record further showcases his versatility, with 2902 runs scored at a remarkable strike rate of 151.54 and an average of 25.01.
Despite his talent, Shaw remained unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He famously captained the Indian team to victory in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, a tournament where current Test captain Shubman Gill was recognized as the player of the tournament.
For context, the record for the fastest Ranji Trophy century belongs to Rishabh Pant, who achieved it in an astounding 48 balls during the 2016/17 season. Other rapid centurions include Riyan Parag and RK Borah (56 balls), S Reuben Paul (60 balls), Rajat Patidar (68 balls), and Naman Ojha (69 balls). Shaw’s recent 72-ball century now stands jointly as the seventh-fastest, sharing the spot with Eklavya Dwivedi. Interestingly, Rishabh Pant also appears on this elite list at ninth position with an 82-ball hundred.