Bengal vs Maharashtra: Prithvi Shaw's second innings and the search for consistency

For Prithvi Shaw, Eden Gardens was about more than just another Ranji Trophy fixture. It was an opportunity to remind Indian cricket what he can still offer. An unbeaten half-century in a convincing victory over Bengal may not be enough to put him back in the national conversation, but it has given the 26-year-old another reason to believe that his story is far from over.

On November 5, 2026, Maharashtra defeated Bengal by 10 wickets in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C encounter at Eden Gardens. While the victory was built on a collective bowling effort, Shaw's contribution with the bat became one of the biggest talking points of the match.

And perhaps the most interesting part came after the game, when Shaw spoke about his long-standing ambition to wear the Indian jersey again.

How Maharashtra dismantled Bengal

Bengal entered the contest in impressive form, having won their first three matches of the season. However, their winning run came to an abrupt end against Maharashtra.

After winning the toss and opting to field, Maharashtra bowled Bengal out for just 143 in the first innings. Bengal struggled to build partnerships, while Mohammed Shami was one of the standout performers with the ball for the hosts.

Maharashtra responded with 218, securing a valuable 75-run first-innings lead. Tanay Sanghvi played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 60 off 179 deliveries. Shami picked up four wickets for 37 runs, while Shahbaz Ahmed claimed three.

Bengal showed greater resistance in their second innings. Abhishek Porel scored 65 off 84 balls, while Sumanta Gupta contributed 59 off 93 deliveries. Their 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket briefly gave Bengal hope of setting a competitive target.

However, Pradeep Dadhe and Hitesh Walunj picked up four wickets each, dismissing Bengal for 186.

Maharashtra were left with a target of 112 runs. They needed only 19.4 overs to get there, finishing at 114 without losing a wicket.

Shaw remained unbeaten on 53 off 50 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes. At the other end, Sachin Dhas scored an unbeaten 61 off 68 balls, striking 10 boundaries.

Tanay Sanghvi was named Player of the Match for his contribution with both bat and ball, scoring 60 not out and taking five wickets across the two innings.

The victory earned Maharashtra seven points, including a bonus point, taking their tally to 19 and placing them at the top of Group C. Bengal slipped to second with 18 points.

A half-century after an inconsistent start

While the result was important for Maharashtra, Shaw's innings carried a different significance.

The right-handed batter had begun the season with a promising 70 against Services. However, his subsequent scores were 7, 21, 0, 17 and 12. His first-innings dismissal against Bengal, when he managed just 12 off 21 deliveries against Mohammed Shami, continued that inconsistent run.

The unbeaten 53 in the fourth innings was therefore a timely response.

It was not a monumental score by his standards, nor was it a match-winning hundred. However, it demonstrated his ability to contribute when his team needed to complete a chase.

More importantly, it came after a difficult stretch in which questions about his form had once again started emerging.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Shaw admitted that the possibility of returning to the Indian team remains in his thoughts.

"There is always a thought at the back of the mind. But as much as I have experienced, I should not think so much ahead," he said.

He added that his immediate priorities were to keep winning matches, train well and maintain his routine.

He also acknowledged the inconsistency in his recent performances, explaining that some innings go well while others do not. According to Shaw, he has been satisfied with the way he has been batting and believes that a substantial innings could change the narrative.

It was a relatively measured response from a cricketer whose career has often been accompanied by enormous expectations.

From a teenage sensation to an uncertain international career

Shaw's rise in Indian cricket was remarkably quick.

He first attracted national attention through his performances in age-group cricket before leading India to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2018. His attacking batting and confidence at the crease made him one of the country's most exciting young prospects.

Later that year, he made his Test debut against the West Indies in Rajkot. He announced himself in spectacular fashion, scoring 134 in his very first Test innings. At 18 years and 329 days, he became the youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut.

It appeared that Indian cricket had found a long-term opening batter.

However, his international journey did not develop as expected.

Shaw went on to represent India in five Tests, six ODIs and one T20 International. His last appearance for the national team came in July 2021, during India's tour of Sri Lanka. His last Test appearance, meanwhile, was against Australia in December 2020.

That means he has now spent more than five years outside the Indian side.

For a player who was once considered one of the brightest prospects in the country, the gap between his early promise and his present position has been considerable.

Injuries, inconsistent performances and questions surrounding his fitness and professional discipline gradually affected his progress.

The situation became particularly difficult during the 2024 domestic season. Shaw was dropped from Mumbai's squad for their Ranji Trophy match against Tripura in October amid concerns about his fitness. Reports at the time also raised questions about his discipline. The episode was a significant setback for a player who had spent much of his cricketing career representing Mumbai.

Why the move to Maharashtra mattered

In June 2025, Shaw received a No Objection Certificate from the Mumbai Cricket Association to represent another state association. He subsequently joined Maharashtra.

The move marked the end of his eight-year association with Mumbai's senior domestic side.

It offered Shaw an opportunity to begin again in a different environment, away from some of the pressures that had followed him during the previous seasons.

He subsequently showed glimpses of his ability.

During the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Shaw produced a remarkable performance against Chandigarh, scoring 222 off 156 deliveries. His double century came after he had been dismissed for just eight in the first innings.

The innings was particularly significant because it reminded everyone of the attacking ability that had made him such a highly rated youngster. It was also reported as the second-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy Elite history.

In March 2026, Shaw spoke openly about his determination to return to the Indian team.

He revealed that he was putting in considerably more effort towards that goal, adding that he was working harder than ever to make a comeback.

His latest comments in Kolkata, however, reflected a slightly different approach. Rather than looking too far ahead, he wants to concentrate on his immediate responsibilities.

Can Prithvi Shaw make an India comeback?

The question is no longer whether Shaw has the talent to play international cricket. His early career has already demonstrated that.

The bigger question is whether he can produce the consistency and discipline required to remain at the highest level.

A comeback is certainly not impossible. Indian cricket has seen players work their way back into contention through strong domestic performances. However, competition for opening positions remains intense, and selectors will expect more than occasional flashes of brilliance.

For Shaw, the immediate challenge is to turn promising performances into a sustained run of scores. He will need to demonstrate that he can perform consistently against quality bowling attacks, particularly in red-ball cricket, where patience and technical discipline are essential.

His performances for Maharashtra will also be important in establishing his case beyond individual innings. Consistency across competitions and his ability to maintain form throughout a season could strengthen his position.

At 26, time is still on his side. But the expectations surrounding him are different now. He is no longer the teenage prodigy waiting for his opportunity. He is an experienced domestic cricketer trying to earn another chance.

For now, Shaw appears determined to take things one match at a time.

His unbeaten 53 against Bengal will not automatically reopen the doors to the Indian dressing room. But it is another small step in a career that has experienced both extraordinary highs and difficult lows.

Perhaps the most important thing for Shaw is not to prove everyone wrong in one innings, but to keep proving his worth over several months.

The Indian jersey may still be a distant target. But as long as he continues to perform and remains consistent, the possibility of a return cannot be ruled out.