Prithvi Shaw made a strong start after moving to Maharashtra in the domestic circuit, scoring a century on his debut for his new state team in a one-man show during their Buchi Babu Trophy match against Chhattisgarh. Maharashtra could only score 217 in response to Chhattisgarh’s 242, with Shaw contributing 111 of those runs—an early performance of significance.

He recently obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to leave his former state, Mumbai, after being dropped from the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy squad. It was a tough period for him, as he also went unsold during the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Shaw last played in the league in 2024, scoring 198 runs in eight games for Delhi Capitals (DC) at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.63. He made his IPL debut in 2018 with DC and spent seven seasons with them before being released and going unsold. So far, he has played 79 IPL matches, scoring 1,892 runs at an average of 23.94 with a strike rate of over 147. In T20s overall, he has scored 2,902 runs in 117 games at a strike rate of 151.54, including one century and 20 fifties.

As he returns to form, an IPL comeback could be possible if he continues scoring consistently. Here are three teams that should look to rope in Prithvi Shaw for IPL 2026.

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3. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Prithvi Shaw’s former and only IPL team so far, Delhi Capitals (DC), could look to bring the opener back. DC failed to make the playoffs despite playing well for most of the season. They used four different players as openers: Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and KL Rahul. Fraser-McGurk struggled at the top, scoring only 55 runs in six matches. Du Plessis made 202 runs in nine innings but was not consistent. KL Rahul (539 runs) and Porel (301 runs) were the successful openers. Overall, their top order averaged only 19.23 runs throughout the season. Delhi could look to add firepower at the top and bring back Prithvi Shaw for IPL 2026.

2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a disappointing IPL 2025. They finished last in the league stage, winning only four out of 14 matches. CSK struggled with batting throughout the season and improved only towards the end. Their opening combinations failed to give solid starts. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad missed several games, which hurt the team. Players like Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway could not perform well at the top. CSK then tried young players such as Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre as openers. The former champions need someone who can attack the bowlers and bat aggressively in the powerplay, which was their weak point last season. Prithvi Shaw could fit the bill as an opener, while Gaikwad could move to number three for more stability.

1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Three-time IPL winners and 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could not defend their title in 2025. They faced problems with their top order and opening combinations and need a solid opener for the next season. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane had a decent season, scoring 390 runs at an average of 35.45 and a strike rate of 147.72 with three fifties. However, the other openers struggled. Quinton de Kock made 152 runs in eight innings at an average of 21.71 and a strike rate of 129.91, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored only 74 runs in five games. KKR needs a young and explosive Indian opener, as their top order could not give solid starts consistently last season. This could be a great opportunity for Prithvi Shaw to join the team.

Shaw Shows Signs of a Comeback

Shaw’s struggles with discipline and fitness in recent years have been widely discussed, as one of India’s most promising talents faded from the spotlight. However, this innings shows that the 25-year-old can still build a career to be proud of. “I don’t mind starting from scratch again because I’ve seen many ups and downs in my life. I’m a very confident guy—confident in myself and my work ethics. I hope this season goes really well for me as well as for my team,” said Shaw after the close of day’s play.