Siddhesh veer

Maharashtra Ranji Trophy: India batter Prithvi Shaw and seasoned domestic all-rounder Jalaj Saxena have been included in Maharashtra’s 16-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, which begins on October 15.

The state selectors appointed Ankeet Bawane as the full-time captain for the campaign, with Maharashtra set to face Kerala in their opening fixture in Thiruvananthapuram from October 15-18.

Shaw, who switched from Mumbai ahead of the season, is aiming for a fresh start after a turbulent period that saw him lose his place in the red-ball setup. His move to Maharashtra is seen as a significant step in trying to revive his red-ball career. Meanwhile, Saxena, one of the most consistent all-rounders in domestic cricket, joins the squad after a long stint with Kerala, where he played a key role in their run to the Ranji final last season. He was part of the team that played a warm-up match against his old team, Mumbai, in which he got into a heated confrontation with Musheer Khan, raising his bat to nearly hit Musheer. Shaw is in good form as he scored 181 against Mumbai.