Ravindra Jadeja slams Ranji Trophy century, sets up New Zealand Tests

Ravindra Jadeja marked his return to red-ball cricket with a century for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh in their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 match in Rajkot on Monday. The Indian all-rounder scored 102 off 209 balls to help his team recover from a difficult position to post 392 in the first innings.

Jadeja came into bat with Saurashtra on 120 for three and had to settle the innings after the next wicket fell on 151. He found an able partner in Prerak Mankad, with the pair putting together a 205-run stand for the fifth wicket to turn the innings around.

Mankad scored 129 off 150 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six, while Jadeja hit seven boundaries with his patient knock. Their partnership took Saurashtra to 356 for five before Jadeja was caught and bowled by Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, his former Saurashtra teammate who is representing Chhattisgarh this season.

The hundred was Jadeja’s 16th in first-class cricket. It also gave Saurashtra a strong platform in their opening fixture after exiting the competition in the initial stages of last season.

JADEJA BUILDING FOR NEW ZEALAND TESTS

Jadeja’s return to domestic cricket comes ahead of India’s two-Test tour of New Zealand next month. After appearing in two matches during India’s recent 2-1 ODI series win over West Indies, taking two wickets without getting a chance to bat, the all-rounder will welcome time in the middle before returning to the Test side.

India are scheduled to play the first Test in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. The series will give Jadeja another opportunity to contribute with both bat and ball in the longest format.

The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy began on October 11, with Saurashtra placed in the elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura. After an early exit last season, Saurashtra will be hoping that Jadeja’s form will help them make a stronger push this time around.

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