Prithvi Shaw vs Mumbai: Maharashtra set to play record Ranji champs before new season

Prithvi Shaw will play his first match against his old domestic side Mumbai after switching to Maharashtra for the 2025–26 season. The 3-day practice game is scheduled at the MCA Stadium, Gahunje, from October 7 to 9. This match is part of both teams' preparations for the new Ranji Trophy campaign, with free entry for fans at the ground.

Both squads feature experienced players. Maharashtra's team includes Ruturaj Gaikwad, a regular in domestic and international cricket, and Jalaj Saxena, who previously played for Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. Mumbai will be captained by Shardul Thakur, who takes over as the full-time red-ball skipper.

Shreyas Iyer will be absent from the match and Mumbai's squad due to a back injury that has also ruled him out of recent India A and West Indies Test assignments. His absence is a significant setback for Mumbai as they prepare for another domestic season.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has opened the gates for spectators, allowing fans to watch the practice fixture at no cost. This initiative is expected to draw local cricket enthusiasts to the stadium in Gahunje.

The practice match holds additional significance for Prithvi Shaw, who faces his former team for the first time since his move. His performance will be closely watched ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.

Mumbai, the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions, are placed in Elite Group D and will start their campaign against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar from October 15 to 18. The final Mumbai squad for the season will be announced after this practice match, likely around October 10 or 11.

Maharashtra, meanwhile, are slotted in Elite Group B and will open their season against Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram from October 15 to 18. The practice game against Mumbai provides a valuable opportunity for the team to test combinations and assess form before the long domestic season.

Squads

Mumbai: Shardul Thakur, Musheer Khan, Akhil Herwadkar, Suved Parkar, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Akash Anand, Hardik Tamore, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Irfan Umair, Sylvester D’Souza, Royston Dias.

Maharashtra: Prithvi Shaw, Arshin Kulkarni, Siddhesh Veer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankeet Bawane (c), Saurabh Nawale (wk), Jalaj Saxena, Vicky Ostwal, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Pradeep Dhade, Hitesh Walunj, Mandar Bhandari (wk), Harshal Kate, Siddharth Mhatre, Rajwardhan Hangargekar, Rajneesh Gurbani.