Ravindra Jadeja scores 102 as Saurashtra recover to 392 in Ranji Trophy opener in Rajkot

Ravindra Jadeja scored 102 for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh in a Ranji Trophy 2026-27 match in Rajkot on Monday, 2026-10-12, marking his return to red-ball cricket. His innings helped Saurashtra recover from a precarious position to post 392 in their first innings.

Jadeja faced 209 deliveries in a patient knock that followed Saurashtra’s start of 120 for three. Another wicket fell at 151 before Jadeja combined with Prerak Mankad to rebuild the innings. The pair compiled a 205-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking Saurashtra to 356 for five.

Prerak Mankad finished 129 off 150 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six, while Jadeja struck seven boundaries during his century. Jadeja’s innings ended when he was caught and bowled by Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who is representing Chhattisgarh this season. The hundred was Jadeja’s 16th in first-class cricket.

The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy began on October 11, and Saurashtra’s opening fixture came after an early exit from the competition last season. Saurashtra are placed in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura.

Jadeja’s return to domestic cricket comes ahead of India’s two-Test tour of New Zealand next month; he featured in two matches during India’s recent 2-1 ODI series win over West Indies, taking two wickets without getting an opportunity to bat. India are scheduled to play the first Test in Wellington from November 19 to 23 and the second in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1, a series that will give Jadeja another opportunity to contribute with both bat and ball in the longest format.

Saurashtra will hope Jadeja’s form helps them make a stronger push this time around.