Ravindra Jadeja included in Saurashtra squad for Ranji Trophy opener against Chhattisgarh

Ravindra Jadeja has been named in a 16-member Saurashtra squad for their first match of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign, a home fixture against Chhattisgarh at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The 92nd edition of India's top domestic first-class competition begins on October 11, and Saurashtra are placed in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura.

Jadeja's selection follows a recently concluded ODI series in which India defeated the West Indies 2-1. The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder played in two of those matches, picking up two wickets but not facing a delivery with the bat. Jaydev Unadkat continues as captain, with the side eager to bounce back after a group-stage exit in 2025-26.

Saurashtra have retained 14 players from last season's group, bringing in seamer Neel Pandya and allrounder Arth Yadav as the only fresh faces.

Why does Jadeja's red-ball outing at Rajkot matter for India's Test schedule?

With India set to tour New Zealand for two Tests next month, this Ranji Trophy fixture offers Jadeja a timely opportunity to sharpen his red-ball skills. The first Test is scheduled in Wellington from November 19 to 23, and the second moves to Christchurch, running from November 27 to December 1. Having gone through the West Indies ODI series without a single innings at the crease, Jadeja will be keen to spend time in the middle under match conditions before that assignment.

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How does Saurashtra's bowling attack look after key personnel changes?

Unadkat arrives at the Ranji Trophy having impressed during a county stint with Sussex, where he took 28 wickets across seven matches at an average of 22.21. That return included a five-wicket haul of 5 for 32 against Hampshire and two separate four-wicket performances. He will share the new ball with Chetan Sakariya, while Harvik Desai takes the gloves behind the stumps and Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani and Jay Gohil provide batting depth.

Saurashtra must also reconfigure their spin options after left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja moved across to Chhattisgarh for this season. Parth Bhut is set to carry a greater portion of the spin-bowling responsibility alongside Ravindra Jadeja. The two-time Ranji Trophy winners, who claimed the title in 2019-20 and 2022-23 under Unadkat's leadership, will be looking to go considerably further than the group stage this time around.

Saurashtra full squad for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy opener

Jaydev Unadkat (captain), 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, Neel Pandya, Arth Yadav, Tarang Gohel.