The captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ruturaj Gaikwad, is currently playing for the Maharashtra side in the third round of the Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 in Tamil Nadu. The 27-year-old batter didn’t celebrate his century for the state side against Himachal Pradesh at the TI Murugappa ground.

Coming out to bat at the number three position, in the absence of their opening batter, Prithvi Shaw, Gaikwad crossed the 100-run mark in just 122 balls. At the end of the 63 overs in their innings with the bat, the veteran was on 104 runs in just 131 balls as he had hammered 10 boundaries.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad just timed the ball into the cover region and went for a single, and didn’t celebrate the century. It felt like a relief for the batter, who perhaps had the monkey off his back. The experienced campaigner, who has already featured in six ODIs and 23 T20Is for India, played in his first match of the event and returned with low scores of one and 11 runs against Chhattisgarh.

Watch: Ruturaj Gaikwad refuses to celebrate century during Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 

Gaikwad missed the lion’s share of the IPL 2025 for the CSK franchise after he picked up a wrist injury. In his absence, the former captain and wicket-keeper batter of the side, MS Dhoni, led the side. Gaikwad’s last game for the national side came in July against Zimbabwe.

Bro didn't celebrate his century 😭 pic.twitter.com/iXmMrGGCVD

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) August 26, 2025

The Chennai opening batter has already smacked 2502 runs in 70 innings of the IPL at an average of 40.35 and a strike rate of 137.47, with the help of 20 half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 108 runs. The yellow franchise will be hoping to get back the opening batter in the side before the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In the other game, Sarfaraz Khan smashed 92 runs in 92 balls at the end of 62 overs in Mumbai’s first innings during their encounter against Haryana, with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes. The Duleep Trophy 2025 will begin in Bengaluru from August 28, where many skillful players will feature for the zonal teams.

The Indian opening batter, Prithvi Shaw, who has been out of the national side for more than four years, is eyeing a new journey. The Mumbai batter left his long-time domestic team and joined Maharashtra before the upcoming domestic season. And this Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 has given him the perfect platform to get connected with the side.

The Indian opener smashed a fine knock of 111 runs in just 141 balls with the help of 15 fours and a six on the second day of the first round. It was an incredible knock, given that the other ten Maharashtra batters got just 92 runs on a surface that was misbehaving a lot.

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“It’s hot in Chennai, but it feels great because I have always scored some runs over here whenever I am here. I think Chennai is quite special for me. The first experience of playing in Chennai was during the IPL 2019, I think. We played at obviously Chepauk, and (it was a) really good experience.” Prithvi Shaw expressed in an interaction with the Chennai Super Kings.

Watch: Prithvi Shaw comments on his love for Chennai after century in Buchi Babu Trophy 2025  

Shaw has overall smashed 4556 runs in 102 innings of FC cricket at an average of 46.02 and a strike rate of 82.86 with the help of 13 centuries and 18 fifties. The 25-year-old has shown his excitement about featuring for Maharashtra in the new season of domestic cricket.

First 💯 for Maharashtra in Chennai✅
Shaw makes it special 💛#WhistlePodu #BuchiBabu pic.twitter.com/o5zGZA2MlU

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 21, 2025

“I think it’s a great tournament. Before the Ranji season, it happens, and I am playing for the first time. I had just played my first game, and it’s a good experience because all the state teams come together before playing the Ranji Trophy, and you get a very good practice before the season starts.” The Thane-born expressed.

“It’s good for all the players who have participated in it. This is my first game for Maharashtra. It feels really special scoring a 100. I hope this thing continues till the Ranji Trophy and whatever the upcoming matches come for Maharashtra.” Prithvi Shaw concluded.

The Indian opening batter, Prithvi Shaw, who has lacked form in recent times, shifted to Maharashtra from Mumbai. He has made a fine start to his stint with Maharashtra as he clubbed a fine 122-ball century in the first innings on the second day of the Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 against Chhattisgarh in the opening round in Chennai.

The 25-year-old featured in his first tournament for the side during this Buchi Babu Trophy 2025. The right-handed batter looked to develop his career skills at the top level after a struggling season last year in which he was dropped from the domestic season due to issues regarding his fitness and discipline. Shaw has overall smashed 4556 runs in 102 innings at a FC average of 46.02 with 13 centuries.

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“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.” Shaw wrote in a statement as he looked to get a no-objection certificate from Mumbai in June.

Prithvi Shaw celebrates century for Maharashtra during Buchi Babu Trophy 2025

Shaw got to the landmark with the help of 14 boundaries and one century. However, Maharashtra kept struggling for 145/5 against Chhattisgarh. Widely regarded as the next top batter of the Indian side, Shaw failed to earn a contract during the last season of the IPL mega auction. That was a huge shock to the entire country, as his international career had already gone through five Tests, six ODIs, and a T20I.

For India, the 25-year-old has so far clubbed 339 runs in nine innings at an average of 42.37 and a strike rate of 86.04 with one century and two fifties at the best score of 134. In six ODIs, he has thumped 189 runs at 31.50 with the best score of 49. His last international game came in July 2021 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

This century will build confidence among the batter as he looks forward to starting on a high during the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Having changed his team, it would be a new chapter for Prithvi, and he hopes to enjoy success in this assignment.  

Indian cricketer and top-order batter Prithvi Shaw has officially parted ways with the Mumbai Cricket Association and will now play for the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) from the upcoming domestic season. The MCA confirmed the deal in a statement. It also welcomed the World Cup-winning U19 captain to the squad. Shaw will now be playing alongside stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, and Ankit Bawne.

Shaw’s eight-year journey with Mumbai has come to an end after he requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association last month. The board approved the request, clearing the way for his transfer. Shaw said he sees the move as a fresh opportunity to grow in his career and praised the Maharashtra association for its recent efforts in cricket development and infrastructure.

In his official statement, Shaw said, “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.” He added that he is excited to play alongside top players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankit Bawne, Rahul Tripathi, Rajneesh Gurbani, and Mukesh Choudhary.

MCA Welcomes Shaw; Sees the Move as a Major Boost

MCA President Rohit Pawar expressed his happiness over Shaw’s addition to the squad. “We are delighted to welcome a player of Prithvi Shaw's caliber to the Maharashtra team. His inclusion adds tremendous strength to an already talented squad. Shaw's international and IPL experience will be invaluable, especially for mentoring younger players in the squad,” Pawar said. He also thanked the MCA Apex Council and the Cricket Advisory Committee for supporting the decision and assured Shaw of full support in this new journey.

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MCA has made significant strides in recent years through tournaments such as the Maharashtra Premier League, Women's MPL and D.B. Deodhar Tournament. Shaw's suggestion to take part in the ongoing Deodhar Tournament should raise the level of competition and excite young cricketers in the state.