The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 kicked off with high drama in Thiruvananthapuram as Kerala tore through Maharashtra’s top order in stunning fashion. In a shocking start that will be remembered for years, 4 ducks in 20 balls Prithvi Shaw’s Maharashtra found themselves reeling at 5 for 4 inside the first four overs at Green Field Stadium.
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4 Ducks in 20 Balls Prithvi Shaw’s Maharashtra Stunned by Nidheesh’s Opening Spell
Kerala’s in-form pacer MD Nidheesh struck gold right from the outset, dismissing 4 ducks in 20 balls Prithvi Shaw’s debut innings for Maharashtra in just four deliveries. The former Mumbai batter was trapped lbw by a sharp inswinger, setting the tone for a breathtaking collapse. Nidheesh then dismissed Siddhesh Veer the very next ball, while Basil NP joined the destruction by removing all-rounder Arshin Kulkarni with his first delivery — a wicket set up by a flying catch from Rohan Kunnummal in the slips.
Basil continued the carnage by cleaning up skipper Ankeet Bawane with a delivery that nipped back sharply. At that stage, 4 ducks in 20 balls Prithvi Shaw’s team had yet to register a single run off the bat, with all five runs on the scoreboard coming from Kerala’s wides. The scenes were surreal — a combination of world-class swing bowling and complete batting disarray.
Kerala Close In as 4 Ducks in 20 Balls Prithvi Shaw’s Maharashtra Near Dubious Record
By the fifth over, 4 ducks in 20 balls Prithvi Shaw’s Maharashtra were not just battling Kerala’s seamers but also staring down a historic embarrassment. They were on the verge of equaling the Ranji Trophy record of seven ducks in an innings, a mark last reached in the 2016–17 season between Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Maharashtra’s former captain, was left stranded at the crease, facing 13 balls without scoring, while wicketkeeper SS Nawale tried to steady things. Fans online couldn’t believe the sudden collapse, as social media buzzed with memes and disbelief about 4 ducks in 20 balls Prithvi Shaw’s side’s nightmare.
Earlier, Shaw had scored a brilliant 181 in a warm-up match, but this performance marked a brutal contrast. As the Ranji Trophy’s 91st edition unfolds, 4 ducks in 20 balls Prithvi Shaw’s Maharashtra will be desperate to recover from this humiliating start — one that showcased both Kerala’s fiery precision and the cruel unpredictability of red-ball cricket.
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