Former international batsman Prithvi Shaw, who left Mumbai after a nightmarish phase, has motored across the expressway to join Maharashtra at its Pune base for the upcoming Ranji season.

In a bid to rejuvenate his career and start a new innings by joining Maharashtra, Shaw expressed gratitude to the MCA for giving him the opportunity. The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) simultaneously called it a strategic shift, seen as a significant development in Indian domestic cricket, strengthening the Maharashtra team further.

Having represented India across three formats, Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Shaw also turned out for Delhi Lady in the IPL. Despite his aggressive batting and match-winning capabilities, Shaw had seen a steady diminishing of runs and will look to roar back into form, which held plenty of promise when he returned as captain of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2018.

However, persistent technical glitches in his batting and fitness concerns have caused Shaw to plateau in performance. Shaw will look to bulge his 13 first-class centuries count and add to the amassed mountain of 4500 runs so far in his career.

The MCA press release quoted Shaw as saying, “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. The Maharashtra Cricket Association has made remarkable efforts in recent years to enhance cricketing infrastructure across the state. 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.”