Prithvi Shaw named Maharashtra captain for Ranji Trophy opener

Prithvi Shaw has been named captain of the Maharashtra cricket squad for their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season opener against Services, scheduled for October 11 in New Delhi. The 16-member squad for the Elite Group C campaign includes prominent batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shaw, as well as veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is absent from the opening lineup as he is set to lead India ‘A’ in an unofficial one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry. The Maharashtra squad also features a notable inclusion of three youngsters from Beed—Saurabh Navale, Sachin Dhas, and Rishikesh Sonawane—who earned their first-ever call-ups to the state's premier domestic team.

Maharashtra competes in Elite Group C alongside teams such as Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Odisha.