Prithvi Shaw Hits Century on Maharashtra Debut, Says He's Ready to "Start from Scratch"

Prithvi Shaw marked a new chapter in his domestic cricket career with a century on debut for Maharashtra, stating that he’s ready to “start from scratch” as he looks to revive his form and focus following a string of setbacks.

Playing against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu pre-season tournament in Chennai, Shaw scored a commanding 111 off 141 balls on a challenging pitch that offered turn and variable bounce. His knock stood out, especially as the rest of the Maharashtra batting line-up managed just 92 runs combined on day two.

"I don't mind starting from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs in my life," Shaw said after stumps. "I've been up there, I've been down there, and I've come back up. So everything is possible. I'm confident in myself and my work ethics. I hope this season goes well for me and for my new team."

The 25-year-old was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad last season over concerns about fitness and discipline, and he went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. In a bid to turn things around, Shaw switched to Maharashtra for the 2025–26 domestic season and worked intensively on his fitness, enlisting the help of a personal trainer and dietician.

"These two-three months I had my trainer come personally to train me, and I have a dietitian who gives me my meal plans," Shaw explained. "All this has really changed me physically and mentally. And it can be seen on the field."

Shaw’s innings was aggressive from the start. While his opening partner Sachin Dhas took 25 balls to get off the mark, Shaw had already raced to 30 off 23 deliveries. After Maharashtra collapsed from a solid start to 71 for 4, including the dismissal of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shaw adjusted his game, balancing caution with counterattack. He reached his century with a mix of aggression and patience, eventually falling to a delivery from legspinner Shubham Agrawal that turned and shot low.

Reflecting on his innings, Shaw said, "It depended on the scoreboard. When we lost quick wickets, I had to be patient and take the game away from them. The pitch was tough for batting – turning, bouncing, with a lot of patches – so I just tried to stay out there and make some runs."

Shaw also revealed a shift in his mindset, saying he has stopped overthinking and now focuses on the present.

"Before, I used to think too far ahead. That didn’t work for me. Now, I’m going day-by-day. Whether I’m playing a match or not, I’ve got a schedule and I stick to it. I try to stay in the present. That’s the kind of person I am now."

Support from his family and childhood coach Prashant Shetty has been crucial in helping him deal with difficult times. Shaw has also stepped away from social media to maintain his mental peace.

"It’s kind of peaceful when I’m not using social media," he said. "It can be quite bad these days. I’m just trying to be myself and stay focused. My family and coach have supported me so much, and I don’t want them to feel like I’m not trying hard enough."

Shaw’s transition to Maharashtra appears to be a smooth one, with familiar faces like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankit Bawne, Mukesh Choudhary, and Prashant Solanki making him feel at home.

"Mumbai is not that far from Maharashtra," he joked. "I already know half the team from previous India A tours and domestic cricket. The younger guys like Arshin Kulkarni and Sachin Dhas have also been very welcoming."

With a strong start under his belt, Shaw now looks to rebuild his career with Maharashtra—one day at a time.