Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw's pre-season preparations fall flat after both batters dismissed for ducks in Ranji Trophy

Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan have been putting in the hard yards in recent months in order to impress the Indian team management and the selection committee in the 2025-26 domestic season after finding themselves sidelined in recent years.

While Sarfaraz had been dropped by the Indian team after the three-match Test series against New Zealand at home exactly a year back, in which the hosts had suffered a stunning 0-3 white wash at the hands of the Black Caps, Shaw has not represented the Men in Blue in any format since July 2021.

Sarfaraz and Shaw disappoint on Day 1 of Ranji 2025-26

Their hopes of making a comeback for the Indian team, however, took a major hit on Wednesday after both Sarfaraz and Shaw were dismissed for ducks on the opening day of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy.

Sarfaraz was dismissed for a three-ball duck during Mumbai’s season opener, against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. Shaw, on the other hand, lasted just one more delivery than his former Mumbai teammate, falling for a four-ball duck during Maharashtra’s match against Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram.

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Shaw, who is in his first season with Maharashtra after parting ways with Mumbai earlier this year, had shared an Instagram post of him offering prayers just four days before the opening day of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, had made headlines for his weight loss ahead of the domestic season, dropping up to 17 kilograms by following a strict diet after facing criticism over his fitness levels.

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Shaw was trapped LBW off MD Nidheesh while seamer Auqib Nabi accounted for Sarfaraz’s wicket. Both Shaw and Sarfaraz were opening for their respective teams, which was unusual in the latter’s case given Sarfaraz usually plays in the middle-order, where he has batted in the six Tests that he has played for India.

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Whether they bounce back in the second innings, or in the next four rounds which take place from 25 October to 19 November, remains to be seen. And even if they do silence critics with a couple of big knocks during this period, Sarfaraz and Shaw are unlikely to considered for India’s next Test assignment – a two-match series against South Africa at home next month.

However, a consistent run throughout the season might just force the selectors and coach Gautam Gambhir to sit up and take notice despite the massive competition for slots in the Indian team.