Ranji Trophy: Jaiswal gets a duck, Rahul falls cheaply as India’s Test stars struggle
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul suffered disappointment in their opener to the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy on Sunday, falling for a duck and four respectively on the opening day of the domestic first-class tournament.
Jaiswal was dismissed off 13 balls while opening the batting for Mumbai against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium. Meanwhile, Rahul managed just four runs for Karnataka against Andhra in Vijayawada, where pacers Kavuri Saiteja and KV Sasikanth struck early to leave last season’s runners-up in trouble.
Karnataka lost four early wickets as the Andhra bowlers made the most of their start. Rahul’s dismissal in the fourth over added to the woes of the visitors, leaving their middle order with a lot of work to do.
Jaiswal began his domestic campaign after being named in India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series, although he did not feature in any of the three matches. The 24-year-old last played in India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, where he scored 77 runs in three innings.
Before the opening match in Mumbai, Jaiswal was also seen keeping wickets during a practice game. Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said the opener could take up the role in the future, although he admitted he was unsure of Jaiswal’s plans.
“He ultimately wants to keep wickets for maybe Mumbai in the future or continue to keep wickets for the Indian team, that’s what he’s aiming for. That’s what I feel but I’m not clear on that,” Lad told reporters on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Rahul arrived at the Ranji Trophy after a strong showing in India’s recent ODI series against the West Indies. He scored an unbeaten hundred off 82 balls in his only innings as India won the series 2–1. It was his ninth hundred in the format.
Indian captain Shubman Gill was also absent from the opening round, missing the Punjab vs Assam match at New Chandigarh. He could feature for Punjab in their second match against Chhattisgarh starting on Sunday.
Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar are among the other players with international experience to feature in the opening round.
INDIA SERIES A JOINS ODI PROGRAMME
Rahul, Jaiswal, Washington and Devdutt Padikkal are among the 11 Test players named in India’s 15-member squad for the three-match unofficial Test series against New Zealand A starting on October 24.
The first match will be played in Lincoln from 24 to 28 October, followed by the second in Christchurch from 31 October to 3 November. The final match is scheduled for November 7-10 in Lincoln.
India’s ODI series against New Zealand begins on November 4 and the next two matches are scheduled for November 7 and 10. Overlapping schedules could limit the availability of Rahul, Jaiswal and Washington for the India A series if they are required for the senior team.
ARUNACHAL-NAGALAND MATCH CANCELED
An administrative dispute in Arunachal Pradesh also marred the opening roundwith the Plate Group match against Nagaland in Ahmedabad being cancelled.
Ongoing legal wrangling within the Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association has left the state body without a functioning authority, preventing Arunachal Pradesh from fielding a team for the match.
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