India Test discard Prithvi Shaw hammered an attacking 156-ball 222 (29×4, 5×6) for his new team Maharashtra against Chandigarh on Day Three of their Elite Group ‘B’ Ranji Trophy match at the Sector 16 Stadium, Chandigarh, on Monday.
Former Mumbai opener Shaw, who moved to Maharashtra this season, scored the second fastest double century to help his team declare their second innings at 359-3, setting Chandigarh a target of 335 to win on the final day today.
Dominant knock
Maharashtra chief selector Akshay Darekar, who witnessed Shaw’s innings at the venue, lavished praise on the opener’s focus and intent. “It [Prithvi’s innings] was an extraordinary innings and we all enjoyed it thoroughly. It’s a superb knock, he completely dominated the proceedings,” Darekar told mid-day over the phone from Chandigarh on Monday.
Akshay Darekar
When asked what he felt was special about the knock, which saw Shaw reach the 200 milestone in just 141 balls, surpassing Rahul Singh’s record of 2023-24 season, Darekar, a former India ‘A’ left-arm spinner said: “The way Prithvi started yesterday [on Sunday], his aggression was the same right from Ball One today [Monday]. There is this hunger for runs in his eyes. He must have set some target for himself and we all felt that he was determined to achieve it. He on 41 overnight and today he got to his hundred within the first hour and 15 minutes.”
Darekar reckoned that Shaw’s decision to play for his team is not just a big plus for Maharashtra, but it will also help the player make his India comeback. Shaw began this season with a duck and 75 against Kerala in the first game.
‘Mumbai’s loss is our gain’
“It happens sometimes that someone’s [Maharashtra] profit is another’s [Mumbai] loss. Prithvi has that talent and we have never doubted it. He is on the right track both on and off the field. If he continues the same approach, he will be right up there again soon. He wants to play at the highest level [India] again and he looks determined. He is following all the processes like doing his gym work, his fitness routines, and everything else. And after performing well here, if he gets an opportunity to make his India comeback, it will be great for Indian cricket,” added Darekar.
Shaw, 25, has represented the country in five Tests, six ODIs and one T20I so far.
Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 116 in the first innings and Darekar felt both Gaikwad and Shaw may emerge as the season’s top run-getters. “I would like to speak for both Prithvi and Rutu [Gaikwad]. Both are extremely focused and seem to be playing at another level to help the team win and score big runs for themselves at the same time. If they both keep playing like this, they will easily score 1000 runs or even more this season,” Darekar signed off.
29
No. of boundaries hit by Prithvi Shaw during his knock vs Chandigarh
142.31
Prithvi Shaw’s strike rate during his 222