Ruturaj Gaikwad and Prithvi Shaw Join Maharashtra for Buchi Babu Tournament

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Prithvi Shaw have been included in Maharashtra’s 17-member squad for the upcoming All India Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, scheduled to take place in Chennai from August 18 to September 9, 2025. Their participation marks a significant moment for both players as they look to make an impact in the competition.

Under the captaincy of Ankit Bawane, the Maharashtra team aims to build upon previous performances in this tournament, which has been revitalized since its return in 2023. For Shaw, this tournament represents a fresh start after his departure from the Mumbai squad due to fitness and discipline issues that affected his play in last season’s Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Gaikwad is also eager to re-establish himself in the domestic circuit. Recently, he withdrew from a stint with Yorkshire in the English county championship, choosing instead to focus on his preparations with the Chennai Super Kings at their High Performance Centre in Chennai. His experience with India A during recent tour matches in England has kept him sharp for this upcoming challenge.

Format and Competition Details

The Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament this year will feature an expanded format, with 16 teams divided into four groups. The league structure has changed from four-day to three-day matches, allowing each side to play three games with rest days in between. All matches will occur in Chennai and be available for live streaming on the TNCA YouTube channel. Maharashtra finds itself in Group A, competing against the TNCA President’s XI, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Following their opening match, both Gaikwad and wicketkeeper Saurabh Nawale are expected to depart for the Duleep Trophy semi-final, which will take place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 4. This transition highlights the busy schedule ahead for these players as they balance commitments in multiple competitions.

Maharashtra Squad Overview

The complete Maharashtra squad for the tournament includes the following players:
– Ankit Bawane (c)
– Ruturaj Gaikwad
– Prithvi Shaw
– Siddhesh Veer
– Sachin Dhas
– Arshin Kulkarni
– Harshal Kate
– Siddharth Mhatre
– Saurabh Nawale (wk)
– Mandar Bhandari (wk)
– Ramakrishna Ghosh
– Mukesh Choudhary
– Pradeep Dadhe
– Vicky Ostwal
– Hitesh Walunj
– Prashant Solanki
– Rajvardhan Hangargekar

As the tournament approaches, both Gaikwad and Shaw will be looking to make a significant impact on their team’s performance and further their individual careers in the competitive landscape of Indian cricket.