The talented opening batter Prithvi Shaw has finally joined a new team, Maharashtra for the upcoming domestic season 2025-26 season after leaving Mumbai.
Prithvi Shaw joins Maharashtra
The transition comes after Shaw procured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), marking the end of a long and eventful association with his home team. This change of teams offers the star right-handed batter an opportunity to revitalise his career, which has seen a fare share of ups and downs in past few years.
Earlier, while requesting for an NOC from MCA, Shaw, in a letter, wrote:
"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the MCA for the valuable opportunities and unwavering support extended to me during my time representing the association. It has truly been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the MCA setup, and I'm deeply grateful for the exposure and experience I have gained here."
"At this juncture of my career, I have been presented with a promising opportunity to play professional cricket under another state association, which I believe will further contribute to my growth and development as a cricketer. In light of this, I kindly request you to issue me a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that will enable me to officially represent the new state association in the upcoming domestic season".
"Please be assured that this decision has been made after careful consideration, and with utmost respect for the MCA. I remain ever grateful to the association for the guidance and platform provided over the years. I look forward to your kind consideration and a positive response," Shaw's letter further read.
The 25-year-old's career, which began with a sensational century on his Test debut in 2018, has been a tale of highs and lows. Once hailed as a future superstar of Indian cricket, his journey has been hampered by a series of injuries, inconsistent form, and concerns over his fitness. These challenges led to his exclusion from the national side and, more recently, from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad during the last season due to disciplinary reasons.
Despite the setbacks, Shaw's last competitive appearance for Mumbai was a memorable one. He played a crucial role in the team's victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Madhya Pradesh on December 14, 2024. His contribution in that title-winning campaign served as a final, positive chapter in his tenure with the Mumbai team before he seeks a fresh start with Maharashtra.
"At this stage of my career, I believe joining the Maharashtra team will help me grow further as a cricketer. I am deeply grateful to the Mumbai Cricket Association for the opportunities and support I have received over the years. Maharashtra Cricket Association has made remarkable efforts in recent years to enhance cricketing infrastructure across the state," Shaw said in a statement, as quoted by Times of India.
"Initiatives like the Maharashtra Premier League, Women's MPL, Corporate Shield, and D.B. Deodhar Tournament are testament to their vision. I'm confident that being part of such a progressive setup will positively impact my journey as a cricketer. I'm happy to get the opportunity to play alongside talented players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankit Bawne, Rahul Tripathi, Rajneesh Gurbani, and Mukesh Choudhary in the Maharashtra team," the statement added.