Maharashtra has announced its 16‑man team for the 2025‑26 Ranji Trophy, which kicks off on October 15. The squad includes star India batter Prithvi Shaw and experienced all‑rounder Jalaj Saxena, and is led for the season by full‑time captain Ankeet Bawane.
The Ghar Ghar Hind team will start against Kerala in the capital of Thiruvananthapuram from Oct. 15‑18. Shanghai‑style Shaw, who moved from Mumbai last season, is looking to give his red‑ball career a fresh push after a rough spell that saw him drop out of the team. His comeback aligned with a high‑profile moment when he scored 181 against Mumbai, boosting his return.
Saxena, noted for his consistency in domestic cricket, joins after a long spell with Kerala, where he helped them reach the Ranji final last season. He recently stirred interest in a warm‑up match against Mumbai, sparking a tense exchange with Musheer Khan. The seasoned all‑rounder brings valuable experience to the side.
India’s international Ruturaj Gaikwad is also part of the lineup. The selectors favored seasoned veterans, choosing Pradeep Dadhe over young fast bowler Rajvardhan Hangargekar. This mix of proven talent and fresh energy reflects Maharashtra’s strategy to climb the ranks after finishing fifth in Elite Group A last year, with two wins, two draws, and three losses from seven games.
The Maharashtra squad will face strong competition in Group B, which includes Kerala (last season’s runners‑up), Saurashtra, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Goa. Key faces to watch this season are:
– 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
Fans can expect an exciting season as Maharashtra looks to turn its fortunes and pursue a deeper run in the Ranji Trophy.
Source: ianslive
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