Ranji Trophy: Ravindra Jadeja named in Saurashtra squad for Chhattisgarh opener

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will line up for Saurashtra in their opening match of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season against Chhattisgarh, with Jaydev Unadkat retaining the captaincy as the two-time champions look to make a fresh start.

The veteran left-arm spin-bowler was included in the 16-man squad following India’s 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies.

Jadeja has featured in two matches, taking two wickets without getting a chance to bat, and will be looking to gain valuable practice in the red-ball game ahead of India’s two-Test tour of New Zealand next month.

The Wellington Test is scheduled for November 19-23, followed by the second match in Christchurch from November 27-December 1.

The 92nd edition of India’s premier domestic first-class competition begins on October 11, with Saurashtra, who exited the tournament in its early stages last year, drawn in an elite Group B along with Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura.

Unadkat will lead the side after an impressive stint with Sussex, where the left-arm pacer took 28 wickets in seven matches at an average of 22.21. His haul included a five-wicket return (5/32) against Hampshire and two four-wicket hauls. He will spearhead Saurashtra’s pace attack alongside Chetan Sakariya.

Saurashtra, who lifted the Ranji Trophy under Unadkat in 2019-20 and 2022-23, have retained 14 players from the previous season’s squad, with pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav being the new additions.

Harvik Desai will keep the wickets while the batting line-up will have the experience of Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani and Jay Gohil.

However, the side will have to adjust to the departure of left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who will represent Chhattisgarh this season.

Parth Bhut is expected to carry a significant share of the spin-bowling workload as Saurashtra look to improve on their elimination in the group stage in 2025-26.

Saurashtra will begin their campaign against Chhattisgarh at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

Saurashtra Team: Jaydev Unadkat (capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Harvik Desai (wk), Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani, Prerak Mankad, Jay Gohil, Chetan Sakariya, Ankur Panwar, Sammar Gajjar, Parth Bhut, Vishvarajsinh Jadeja, Hetvik Kotak, Yadav Pandya, Arth.

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