Maharashtra have introduced their 16-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, with Prithvi Shaw and Jalaj Saxena among the many new inclusions. Skilled batter Ankeet Bawane has been appointed because the full-time captain, main a powerful mixture of youth and expertise because the staff goals for a deep run in India’s premier red-ball competitors.
Maharashtra’s marketing campaign to start on October 15
Positioned in Group B, Maharashtra will compete alongside Kerala, Saurashtra, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Goa. Their first fixture will probably be an away match towards Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram from October 15 to 18, marking the beginning of what guarantees to be a tightly contested season.
Prithvi Shaw seems to be for recent begin after leaving Mumbai
Proper-handed batter Prithvi Shaw headlines the squad after making a high-profile transfer from Mumbai to Maharashtra earlier this 12 months. Shaw’s swap comes after a difficult part in his profession, marked by inconsistent kind and exclusion from Mumbai’s red-ball setup. The 25-year-old will look to revive his home profession and push his case for a nationwide comeback with robust performances within the Ranji Trophy.
Shaw’s addition is anticipated to considerably enhance Maharashtra’s prime order, which already options star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has beforehand captained the facet and stays one of many staff’s key gamers.
Jalaj Saxena brings expertise and stability to Maharashtra squad
Veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena, who represented Kerala in final 12 months’s Ranji Trophy ultimate, additionally joins Maharashtra forward of the brand new season. Saxena, one of the crucial constant performers in Indian home cricket, made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2005-06 earlier than transferring to Kerala in 2016-17.
Recognized for his off-spin and helpful batting decrease down the order, Saxena’s inclusion provides useful depth and stability to Maharashtra’s lineup. His expertise in essential matches will probably be instrumental because the facet seems to be to problem for prime honours in Group B.
Selectors go for expertise over youth
The Maharashtra selectors have chosen a mix of confirmed performers and younger expertise, backing seasoned gamers for stability. Pradeep Dadhe was most well-liked over promising pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar, signalling a method targeted on reliability.
The squad additionally consists of Vicky Ostwal, Mukesh Choudhary, Hitesh Walunj and Rajneesh Gurbani, offering the staff with a powerful bowling assault able to adapting to diversified circumstances. Saurabh Nawale and Mandar Bhandari will share wicketkeeping duties.
Additionally READ: Sourav Ganguly breaks silence on BCCI’s transfer to switch Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain
Maharashtra’s 16-member squad for Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Ankeet Bawane (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw, Arshin Kulkarni, Siddhesh Veer, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Mandar Bhandari (wk), Jalaj Saxena, Vicky Ostwal, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Pradeep Dadhe, Hitesh Walunj, Siddharth Mhatre, Harshal Kate, Rajneesh Gurbani
Additionally READ: Karnataka pronounces 15-member squad for the Ranji Trophy 2025; Karun Nair returns
