Ranji Trophy | Prithvi Shaw records third-fastest double ton in Ranji Trophy against Chandigarh

‌Prithvi Shaw smashed the third-fastest double century in the history of the Ranji Trophy to guide Maharashtra to a position of strength against Chandigarh on Monday. He took just 141 balls to reach the feat, while also recording his maiden first-class century for Maharashtra after signing for them from Mumbai before the start of the season.

Ravi Shastri held the record for the fastest double ton in the premier domestic competition with a 123-ball knock against Baroda in the 1984-85 season. However, Hyderabad’s Tanmay Agarwal eclipsed that record, 40 years later, when he took four balls less to reach the milestone against Arunachal Pradesh in the last season.

Shaw hit 29 fours and five sixes during his marathon knock of 222 in 156 balls at the Sector 16 Stadium as the visitors set Chandigarh an improbable target of 464 to win the second round encounter. He got out cheaply in the first innings, but Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century ensured that Maharashtra made 313 and also gained the first innings lead after skittling out the hosts for 209 runs.

The former Indian opener scored an aggressive half-century on his Ranji Trophy debut for Maharashtra in the drawn game against Kerala earlier this month. With the spotlight on the former Mumbai opener after he struggled with fitness issues before eventually exiting the domestic powerhouse, Shaw has started his new stint with Maharashtra on the right note. He had also opened up on the amount of work he had put in, during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Tamil Nadu, ahead of the start of the domestic season.

"I mean, these two-three months [before the season] I had my trainer [working with me]," he had said. "He used to come personally to train me. And I've got a dietitian as well, and he gives me the meals and everything - like what a dietitian does. So, all this stuff in three-four months has really changed me physically and mentally as well. And, you know, it can be seen on the field."

"Mumbai is not that far away from Maharashtra," Shaw had said. "I mean, half of the team I know. I mean, obviously, I've played with Ruturaj, Ankit Bawne; Mukesh is there. Prashant Solanki and few other players are there. I just got to know a few youngsters. You know, Arshin , Sachin Dhas and everyone. They have been really nice and welcoming to me."