Prithvi Shaw’s Double Century Lights Up Ranji Trophy

Prithvi Shaw announced his return to form in spectacular fashion, smashing a double century off just 141 balls in Maharashtra’s Ranji Trophy clash against Chandigarh. The 25-year-old, who recently moved from Mumbai to Maharashtra seeking a fresh start, produced a breathtaking innings after scoring only eight runs in the first innings.

Shaw’s explosive knock not only helped Maharashtra strengthen their 104-run lead but also marked his first-ever double century in the prestigious domestic competition. His 141-ball double ton stands as the second-fastest in Ranji Trophy history and the joint sixth-fastest century overall, an extraordinary feat that highlighted his aggressive yet controlled batting style.

Historical Context And Comparison With Legends

Shaw’s performance places him among an elite list of Indian cricketers who have dominated domestic cricket with their pace and precision. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri still holds the record for the fastest double century in Ranji history, which came off just 123 balls against Baroda in 1985.

Meanwhile, the record for the fastest first-class double century by an Indian belongs to Hyderabad opener Tanmay Agarwal, who achieved the milestone in only 119 balls during the 2024 Ranji Trophy Plate tournament. Shaw’s innings, therefore, not only reaffirmed his potential but also underscored his ability to challenge long-standing records. His century on Day 3 of the match was his first in more than 20 months, serving as a strong statement to selectors after he went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

New Beginnings And Career Overview

The swashbuckling opener’s move from Mumbai to Maharashtra has already begun to pay dividends. Prithvi Shaw made a steady start in his debut Ranji match for Maharashtra against Kerala earlier this month, recovering from a first-innings duck to score 75 runs in the second. He had also impressed earlier in August by striking a century against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament.

Over his first-class career, Shaw has now accumulated 4631 runs in 59 matches at an average of 45.85, including 13 centuries and 19 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 379. In List-A cricket, he has 3399 runs, while in T20S, he has scored 2902 runs. A former captain of India’s 2018 Under-19 World Cup-winning team, Shaw’s resurgence with Maharashtra signals a strong comeback chapter in his domestic career and a possible pathway back into national contention.