Prithvi Shaw fires back with brisk half-century, strengthens IPL 2026 auction case

Aggressive batter Prithvi Shaw, long overlooked in the national setup, delivered a commanding statement with a blistering half-century during Maharashtra’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy clash against Hyderabad on Friday. Making his captaincy debut, Shaw hammered 66 off just 36 balls, reaching his fifty in only 23 deliveries. His innings, packed with nine boundaries and three sixes, steered Maharashtra to an eight-wicket victory with eight balls remaining in their chase of 192 at the Jadavpur University Ground in Kolkata.

While Shaw set the tone, young Arshin Kulkarni stole the spotlight with an unbeaten 89 from 54 balls, featuring 12 fours and two sixes. His composed knock ensured Maharashtra bounced back strongly after their earlier defeat to Jammu & Kashmir this week.

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Shaw, once touted as India’s next batting prodigy, appears to have rediscovered his rhythm since moving from Mumbai to Maharashtra this season—a switch he made seeking a fresh start after years of inconsistency and off-field setbacks. The 26-year-old has already accumulated 470 runs in five matches, including a mammoth 222 against Chandigarh in the current Ranji Trophy season.

A former U-19 World Cup–winning captain, Shaw began his first-class journey with Mumbai in 2017 but opted for a new chapter this year following a difficult phase that cost him his red-ball spot. He also went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

However, he has made an immediate impact in Maharashtra colours, beginning with a century against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in August. His Ranji debut for Maharashtra against Kerala on October 15 brought mixed fortunes—a four-ball duck in the first innings followed by a gritty 75 in the second.

With form returning at the right time, Shaw could emerge as a sought-after pick in the IPL 2026 mini auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.