diri-au.org – Fashion & Cultural Identity Commentary

Discarded India opener Prithvi Shaw has made a strong comeback statement ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season. Shaw smashed a brilliant 186 against his former team Mumbai in a warm-up fixture, showcasing his aggressive batting prowess. This impressive performance on a good batting surface signals his intent to reclaim a spot in national contention.

Rahul Dravid's younger son, Anvay Dravid, will captain Karnataka's U-19 side in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. Meanwhile, discarded India batter Karun Nair returns to the Karnataka Ranji Trophy squad after two seasons, aiming for a comeback into the national team.

Prithvi Shaw faces his former team Mumbai in a three-day practice match for Maharashtra. Shaw, who switched allegiances, joins Maharashtra alongside Jalaj Saxena. Mumbai, led by Shardul Thakur, will miss Shreyas Iyer due to injury. Free entry is offered for fans to witness this exciting encounter.

Karun Nair is set to return to Karnataka's Ranji Trophy squad after a two-season stint with Vidarbha. Mayank Agarwal will continue to captain the side, which also includes new faces. Meanwhile, Anvay Dravid, son of Rahul Dravid, will lead Karnataka in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

Rishabh Pant is nearing a comeback to competitive cricket, with a potential Ranji Trophy return in late October. The BCCI medical team will assess his recovery this week, with clearance possible by October 10. Pant has expressed his desire to play for Delhi, subject to fitness and BCCI approval, aiming for matches from October 25.

The BCCI has mandated that Under-19 and Under-16 players must play at least one First-Class match to be eligible for the IPL from the 2026 season. This policy, finalized on September 28, aims to strengthen domestic cricket by ensuring young talents develop technical skills and mental resilience in longer formats.

The BCCI has rolled out a landmark incentive scheme, financially rewarding domestic cricketers for playing more matches, with a potential bonus of Rs 1 crore for 14 first-class games. This aims to boost domestic cricket's competitiveness and commitment. Mithun Manhas was elected as the 37th BCCI president, succeeding Roger Binny.