Prithvi Shaw made a strong start to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. He smashed a quick 23-ball half-century in Maharashtra’s chase against Hyderabad on Friday at the JU Second Campus in Salt Lake, Kolkata. His attacking intent set the tone early and lifted his team’s hopes in the 192-run chase.
Explosive Start in a Big Run Chase
Shaw, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, is leading Maharashtra for the first time. He shifted from Mumbai ahead of the domestic season, and this match was his first big chance to prove himself.
He opened the innings with confidence and reached his maiden SMAT fifty for Maharashtra in only 23 balls. His knock included 8 fours and 2 sixes, and he brought up his milestone with a simple single in the ninth over. This start showed why he is still considered one of India’s most naturally gifted hitters.
Important Captain’s Knock
Moreover, this fifty mattered even more because it came in his first match as captain. Maharashtra gave him the leadership role after Ruturaj Gaikwad joined India’s ODI squad for the South Africa tour.
Since Shaw is one of the few Indian captains to win the U19 World Cup, expectations were high. With this aggressive knock, he has shown that he is ready to guide his new team and push for a strong finish.
Bounce-Back After a Poor First Match
In Maharashtra’s opening game, Shaw scored only 5 runs from 5 balls against Jammu and Kashmir. The team lost that match by five wickets, and he needed a comeback. Therefore, this innings was important. It helped him regain confidence and also sent a strong message to critics.
Strong Domestic Form Continues
Shaw has been in good touch throughout the domestic season. After moving to Maharashtra, he delivered consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy as well. He scored 470 runs in seven innings, which included a double century and three fifties. Because of this form, his quick fifty in SMAT comes as no surprise.
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