![[WATCH] Ranji Trophy 2025–26: Ruturaj Gaikwad calls Prithvi Shaw to share Player of the Match medal](https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/cardpress/binge-magazine-card-generation/spaces/IN/en/crictracker-spaces/images/ppid_49c02804-image-176173752912853182.webp)
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored a brilliant century in the first innings for Maharashtra against Chandigarh in a Ranji Trophy Group B encounter, displayed a heartfelt gesture by sharing his Player of the Match trophy with Prithvi Shaw. This came after Shaw hammered the third-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history, guiding Maharashtra to a commanding 144-run victory.
Shaw had endured a difficult start to his Ranji Trophy campaign last week, falling for a duck in his first innings against Kerala.
However, he bounced back strongly with a half-century in the same match, helping Maharashtra secure the first-innings lead. His sublime hundred against Chandigarh also ended a 20-month century drought, with his previous ton coming for Mumbai in February 2024.
The 25-year-old is now looking to reignite his career in top-level cricket after a challenging 2024 season, during which he was dropped by Mumbai over issues related to fitness and discipline. In June, Shaw was granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Mumbai Cricket Association, allowing him to switch teams and represent Maharashtra this season.
“At this stage of my career, I believe joining the Maharashtra team will help me grow further as a cricketer. I am deeply grateful to the Mumbai Cricket Association for the opportunities and support I have received over the years,” said Shaw in a statement as quoted by The Indian Express.
In the match, seamers Mukesh Choudhary and Ramakrishna Ghosh starred with the ball, taking four wickets each to power Maharashtra to victory over Chandigarh. Set an imposing target following Shaw’s scintillating 222-run knock, Chandigarh ended the third day’s play at 129 for one, but eventually folded for 319 in 94.1 overs on the final evening.
The outright victory earned Maharashtra six full points from the match, while Chandigarh came away empty-handed. While the bowlers sealed the result on the final day, much of the credit for Maharashtra’s triumph goes to Shaw, whose marathon double century not only provided a commanding total but also allowed enough time for his side to claim all 10 wickets in Chandigarh’s second innings.
