![Prithvi Shaw replaces Ruturaj Gaikwad as Maharashtra captain [Source: @Kshitij45__/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1764054524595_Prithvi_Shaw.jpg?type=hq)
Prithvi Shaw replaces Ruturaj Gaikwad as Maharashtra captain [Source: @Kshitij45__/X.com]
Prithvi Shaw has taken over as captain of the Maharashtra cricket team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025. This change comes after Ruturaj Gaikwad was recalled to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. Since Gaikwad will be away on national duty, he will miss most of the SMAT league phase.
Originally, Gaikwad was announced as Maharashtra’s captain when the 16-member squad was revealed last Friday. However, the squad did not include a vice-captain, which later made the leadership switch smoother.
Prithvi Shaw steps up as Maharashtra captain
Then on Monday, the Maharashtra selection committee, led by former left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar, confirmed Shaw as the new captain, as revealed by TOI. The committee stated that the decision was made collectively, along with Shaun Williams, the director of cricket and head coach of the Maharashtra senior team.
Interestingly, Shaw is no stranger to leadership. The young batter led India U19 to the 2018 U-19 World Cup title against Australia. Soon after, he made rapid progress to India A and then to the senior national team in the same year.
However, recent years have been challenging for him. He has not played for India since 2021, and he shockingly went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, leaving him without an IPL contract.
In addition, he was dropped twice from the Mumbai domestic squad during the 2024/25 season. As a result, he shifted from Mumbai to Maharashtra before the 2025/26 season.
Despite the setbacks, Shaw has produced impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy. He has scored 470 runs in seven innings, including a double century and three half-centuries, averaging 67.14.
Therefore, Maharashtra will hope his form continues in SMAT. The right-hander also has a strong record in List-A cricket, with 3,399 runs, 10 centuries, 14 fifties and two double centuries.
Notably, Maharashtra has been placed in a competitive Group B alongside Jammu & Kashmir, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Goa. Meanwhile, all league matches will be played in Kolkata. The tournament begins for Maharashtra on November 26 against Jammu & Kashmir and ends on December 8 against Goa.
