India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will turn out for Saurashtra in their opening match of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season against Chhattisgarh, as the two-time champions named their 16-member squad on Thursday. Jaydev Unadkat retains the captaincy as Saurashtra look to make a fresh start after an early exit last season.
Jadeja's inclusion follows India's 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies, in which the veteran left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder featured in two matches, taking two wickets without getting an opportunity to bat. The domestic outing is expected to give him valuable red-ball match practice ahead of India's two-Test tour of New Zealand next month.
Red-ball rhythm before New Zealand tour
India's Test series in New Zealand begins in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. Playing in the season opener would allow Jadeja to build match rhythm in the longer format before the tour.
The 92nd edition of India's premier domestic first-class competition gets underway on October 11, with Saurashtra drawn in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura. Their campaign begins at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Unadkat leads the side after an impressive county stint with Sussex, where the left-arm pacer claimed 28 wickets in seven matches at an average of 22.21, including a five-wicket haul against Hampshire. He will spearhead the pace attack alongside Chetan Sakariya.
Saurashtra, who lifted the Ranji Trophy under Unadkat in 2019-20 and 2022-23, have retained 14 players from last season's squad. Pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav are the new additions, while Harvik Desai will keep wickets. The side will have to adjust to the departure of left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who will represent Chhattisgarh this season.
Sources: Ravindra Jadeja Returns To Saurashtra Ahead Of Crucial New Zealand Tests — NDTV Sports (PTI) · Ravindra Jadeja named in Saurashtra squad for Ranji Trophy opener, Unadkat to lead — The Economic Times
Jadeja's inclusion follows India's 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies, in which the veteran left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder featured in two matches, taking two wickets without getting an opportunity to bat. The domestic outing is expected to give him valuable red-ball match practice ahead of India's two-Test tour of New Zealand next month.
Red-ball rhythm before New Zealand tour
India's Test series in New Zealand begins in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. Playing in the season opener would allow Jadeja to build match rhythm in the longer format before the tour.
The 92nd edition of India's premier domestic first-class competition gets underway on October 11, with Saurashtra drawn in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura. Their campaign begins at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Unadkat leads the side after an impressive county stint with Sussex, where the left-arm pacer claimed 28 wickets in seven matches at an average of 22.21, including a five-wicket haul against Hampshire. He will spearhead the pace attack alongside Chetan Sakariya.
Saurashtra, who lifted the Ranji Trophy under Unadkat in 2019-20 and 2022-23, have retained 14 players from last season's squad. Pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav are the new additions, while Harvik Desai will keep wickets. The side will have to adjust to the departure of left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who will represent Chhattisgarh this season.
Sources: Ravindra Jadeja Returns To Saurashtra Ahead Of Crucial New Zealand Tests — NDTV Sports (PTI) · Ravindra Jadeja named in Saurashtra squad for Ranji Trophy opener, Unadkat to lead — The Economic Times