Prithvi Shaw Named Maharashtra Captain for SMAT 2025, Replaces Gaikwad

Prithvi Shaw Named Maharashtra Captain for SMAT 2025, Replaces Gaikwad

SMAT 2025: Prithvi Shaw has replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain following his return to the ODI team for the South Africa series. Ruturaj has made his ODI comeback after two years. He made his previous ODI appearance in December 2023.

Prithvi Shaw will lead Maharashtra in the league stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking over from Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been called up to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa.

Gaikwad had been named captain just a few days earlier when the Maharashtra selection committee, headed by former spinner Akshay Darekar, announced the 16-member squad. Interestingly, the squad did not include a vice-captain.

On Sunday, officials from the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that Shaw will step in as captain once Gaikwad leaves. The selectors and team management had already spoken to Shaw about the possibility, and he was asked to be ready for the role.

An official announcement is expected on Monday. The captaincy comes at a good time for Shaw, who will be hoping to impress IPL franchises ahead of next month’s auction.

Shaw joined Maharashtra earlier this season after being dropped from Mumbai’s squads last year. He has been in excellent form in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 470 runs in seven innings, including a double-century and three fifties, at an average of 67.14.

Maharashtra face a tough challenge in Group B, which includes Jammu & Kashmir, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Goa. All their league matches will be played in Kolkata.