Prithvi Shaw reminded everyone of his immense talent by slamming a breathtaking double century (222 off 156 balls) for Maharashtra in their Ranji Trophy clash against Chandigarh. However, despite his extraordinary performance, Shaw was not awarded the Player of the Match, which instead went to Ruturaj Gaikwad — the Maharashtra skipper and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star. What followed, however, melted hearts across the cricket world.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Shares His Award with Prithvi Shaw
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played a crucial role with a first-innings century (116 runs) and an unbeaten 36 in the second innings, was officially named Player of the Match. Yet, in a display of true sportsmanship, Gaikwad called Shaw on stage and shared his award, acknowledging that Shaw’s blistering double ton had been the real game-changer.
A BEAUTIFUL GESTURE BY RUTURAJ 💛
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 28, 2025
– Ruturaj Gaikwad shared his Player of the match award with Prithvi Shaw in Ranji Trophy. pic.twitter.com/QtyBUe45js
The moment was captured and shared by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), with fans praising Gaikwad’s humility and sense of team spirit. The video, captioned “Shared Glory, True Spirit”, has since gone viral, symbolizing respect, leadership, and teamwork at its best.
Prithvi Shaw’s Historic Double Century: A Knock to Remember
Prithvi Shaw’s 222 was nothing short of spectacular. He reached his century in just 72 balls and his double ton in 141 balls, making it the third-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history — behind only Tanmay Agarwal (119 balls) and Ravi Shastri (123 balls).
Prithvi Shaw in Ranji trophy this season :
— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) October 27, 2025
– 0(4), 75(102), 8(9) & 222(156).
Prithvi Shaw is in good form in domestic cricket. He is unsold in IPL 25.
Which team buy him in IPL 26 ? pic.twitter.com/lKAYHEUF5H
His innings was packed with 29 fours and 5 sixes, at a remarkable strike rate of 142.3, helping Maharashtra declare at 359/3 in their second innings. Chandigarh, chasing a massive target, eventually folded to give Maharashtra a commanding 144-run victory.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate | Innings Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prithvi Shaw | 222 | 156 | 29 | 5 | 142.3 | Second Innings |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 116 | 192 | 12 | 1 | 60.4 | First Innings |
Prithvi Shaw’s Comeback Story: A New Beginning in Maharashtra
After a tough phase in his career, where he struggled with injuries, form, and fitness, Prithvi Shaw switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra ahead of this Ranji season. This move has proven to be a turning point.
He had started his campaign with a duck on debut against Kerala but quickly bounced back with a half-century in the next innings. The double century against Chandigarh marked his first first-class hundred in nearly 20 months, signaling a strong comeback and a new chapter in his domestic career.
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Gaikwad’s Leadership and Sportsmanship
Ruturaj Gaikwad, known for his calm and mature approach both in IPL and domestic cricket, once again showed what leadership truly means. By sharing his award, he not only honored Shaw’s brilliance but also set an example for young cricketers on team spirit and humility.
Fans lauded his act, calling it a reflection of the “CSK culture” — where leadership goes beyond personal achievements and celebrates collective success.
Statistical Highlights from the Match
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Maharashtra vs Chandigarh (Ranji Trophy 2025) |
| Venue | Chandigarh |
| Result | Maharashtra won by 144 runs |
| Player of the Match | Ruturaj Gaikwad (shared with Prithvi Shaw) |
| Top Scorers | Prithvi Shaw – 222, Ruturaj Gaikwad – 116 |
| Fastest Double Centuries in Ranji Trophy | 1. Tanmay Agarwal (119 balls) 2. Ravi Shastri (123 balls) 3. Prithvi Shaw (141 balls) |
Fans React: “Spirit of Cricket at Its Finest”
Cricket fans and former players flooded social media with appreciation for both cricketers. While Shaw’s innings was hailed as a career-reviving knock, Gaikwad’s gesture was described as “the true spirit of cricket”.
Many fans pointed out that Shaw’s innings deserved the Player of the Match on its own merit, but Gaikwad’s selfless act made the victory even more special.
Conclusion
Prithvi Shaw’s 222-run blitz and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s classy gesture have not only defined Maharashtra’s strong start to the Ranji Trophy 2025 season but also reminded everyone what cricket is truly about — talent, redemption, and respect.
While Shaw’s bat did the talking, Gaikwad’s humility stole the spotlight, making this match one of the most memorable moments in Indian domestic cricket.
