Maharashtra Announce Squad For Ranji Trophy 2025-26; Prithvi Shaw, Jalaj Saxena Included

Maharashtra have officially unveiled their 16-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the state’s domestic cricket journey. The announcement comes with several major talking points — the inclusion of Prithvi Shaw, the arrival of Jalaj Saxena, and the appointment of Ankeet Bawane as full-time captain. The squad presents a balanced blend of youth, experience, and tactical depth, all geared toward a strong title challenge in India’s most prestigious red-ball competition.

Maharashtra’s Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Journey Set to Begin on October 15

Maharashtra have been placed in Group B, where they will face stiff competition from some of the strongest domestic units — Kerala, Saurashtra, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Goa. Their campaign will begin with an away fixture against Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram, scheduled from October 15 to 18, marking the start of what promises to be an intense season filled with opportunity and challenge.

The team management has expressed confidence in this new-look side, which they believe has the perfect balance of power hitters, classical red-ball batters, versatile all-rounders, and a reliable bowling unit.

Captain Ankeet Bawane, who has been one of Maharashtra’s most consistent performers over the years, will lead the side, bringing a wealth of domestic experience and calm leadership to the dressing room.

Prithvi Shaw’s Move to Maharashtra — A New Beginning for a Former Prodigy

The spotlight, however, is firmly on Prithvi Shaw, who made headlines earlier this year by transferring from Mumbai to Maharashtra in a major domestic cricket shake-up. Once considered India’s next big batting sensation, Shaw’s journey has been a rollercoaster — from captaining India’s U-19 World Cup-winning side in 2018 to facing form slumps and inconsistent selection at the senior level.

His decision to switch teams comes at a pivotal point in his career. After struggling to cement his place in Mumbai’s red-ball setup and being sidelined from national contention, the 25-year-old is now looking to reignite his career with a fresh start.

Maharashtra’s batting coach expressed optimism about Shaw’s impact, saying,

“Prithvi brings not only attacking intent but also a wealth of experience from playing at the highest level. His presence will uplift our top order and give us that aggressive edge we’ve sometimes lacked in the longer format.”

With Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankeet Bawane, and Arshin Kulkarni already forming a solid core, Shaw’s addition gives Maharashtra one of the strongest top orders in domestic cricket. His partnership with Gaikwad at the top could be a defining factor in the team’s performance this season.

Jalaj Saxena: The Experienced All-Rounder Brings Balance and Depth

Another significant inclusion in the squad is Jalaj Saxena, one of Indian domestic cricket’s most consistent and versatile performers. Saxena, 38, has been a veteran of the circuit, with over 4000 first-class runs and 400 wickets, representing Madhya Pradesh and Kerala over his illustrious career.

His move to Maharashtra is expected to add a critical layer of balance to the side. Known for his accurate off-spin and dependable lower-order batting, Saxena has time and again been the backbone of his team’s performances in pressure situations.

Interestingly, Saxena was a part of Kerala’s Ranji Trophy final squad last season, where he played a crucial role in their journey to the title clash. His transfer is being viewed as a masterstroke by Maharashtra’s selectors, who were keen to bring in a seasoned professional to mentor the younger players.

“Jalaj Saxena is not just an all-rounder; he’s a game stabilizer,” said one of Maharashtra’s selectors. “In a group featuring teams like Karnataka and Saurashtra, his experience and temperament will be invaluable.”

Ankeet Bawane: The Dependable Leader

Appointed as the full-time captain, Ankeet Bawane embodies stability and consistency. Having been part of Maharashtra’s setup for over a decade, Bawane has played more than 100 first-class matches, amassing over 6000 runs with an average close to 50.

Under his leadership, Maharashtra will be hoping to maintain composure and strategic discipline in high-pressure situations. Bawane’s ability to guide young players and extract their best performances makes him a natural fit for the captaincy role.

He will also be pivotal in the middle order, acting as the anchor around which attacking players like Gaikwad, Shaw, and Kulkarni can build their innings.

Selectors Opt for Reliability and Experience Over Raw Youth

In forming the 16-member squad, Maharashtra’s selectors have clearly prioritized consistency and proven domestic experience over untested potential. One notable omission is Rajvardhan Hangargekar, the young fast-bowling all-rounder known for his pace and power hitting. Instead, the selectors have gone with Pradeep Dadhe, who offers reliability with the ball and has performed steadily in domestic cricket.

This decision highlights Maharashtra’s pragmatic approach to the upcoming season — focusing on discipline, adaptability, and experience over experimentation.

The bowling attack features an intriguing mix of left-arm and right-arm pacers, complemented by quality spin options. Mukesh Choudhary and Rajneesh Gurbani bring new-ball experience, while Vicky Ostwal, the left-arm spinner, provides control in the middle overs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: The Backbone of Maharashtra’s Batting Unit

Star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to be a central figure in Maharashtra’s cricketing ambitions. Known for his elegant stroke play and calm temperament, Gaikwad has already achieved significant success in the shorter formats and the IPL. However, his domestic red-ball performances remain a testament to his technical brilliance.

Gaikwad’s presence provides the perfect balance between aggression and patience, and his partnership with Prithvi Shaw is expected to be one of the most exciting elements of the season.

“Ruturaj has always been a thinking cricketer. His calm approach complements Shaw’s explosiveness. Together, they can dictate terms early in the innings,” said batting consultant Hemant Patil.

Bowling Attack: A Blend of Swing, Spin, and Control

Maharashtra’s bowling lineup looks balanced on paper, with multiple options to suit different pitch conditions.

Mukesh Choudhary and Rajneesh Gurbani will likely share the new ball, both known for their swing and ability to extract movement under cloudy conditions.
Pradeep Dadhe offers consistency and control, often used as the enforcer in middle overs.
Vicky Ostwal, the U-19 World Cup star, remains the lead spinner, supported by Jalaj Saxena’s off-spin and Hitesh Walunj’s left-arm variety.

This combination of pace and spin ensures Maharashtra can adapt effectively to both seaming tracks and turning surfaces.

Maharashtra’s Complete 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

Group B — The Road Ahead

Group B in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season is stacked with powerhouses. Teams like Karnataka, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh bring depth, consistency, and title-winning experience. Maharashtra will need to be at their absolute best to qualify for the knockout stages.

Their biggest test will likely come in the form of Karnataka’s formidable batting lineup and Saurashtra’s world-class seam attack. However, with players like Gaikwad, Shaw, and Saxena in their ranks, Maharashtra have every reason to believe they can compete toe-to-toe with the best.

Expectations and Outlook

This season marks a turning point for Maharashtra cricket. The inclusion of big names like Prithvi Shaw and Jalaj Saxena signals the team’s intent to chase silverware, not just participate. With a core of technically sound batters, experienced campaigners, and hungry youngsters, Maharashtra look ready to rewrite their domestic legacy.

If Shaw rediscovers his rhythm, Gaikwad maintains his consistency, and the bowling attack fires collectively, Maharashtra could well emerge as one of the dark horses of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season.

As captain Ankeet Bawane aptly summed up during the announcement:

“We’re not just building a team for this season; we’re building a culture of belief and resilience. Every player here knows what’s at stake, and every game will be treated like a final.”

In short, Maharashtra enter the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season with renewed ambition, bolstered by high-profile recruits and seasoned campaigners. With leadership stability, fresh energy, and a strong squad composition, the side’s ultimate goal is clear — to bring home the Ranji Trophy title and cement their place among the elite of Indian domestic cricket.

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