Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Jadeja joins Unadkat-led Saurashtra for opener vs Chhattisgarh
Synopsis
Ravindra Jadeja's inclusion in Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy squad is more than a selection headline — it is a calculated red-ball tuneup before India's New Zealand Test tour. With Jadeja undercooked in the whites and Saurashtra smarting from a 2025/26 group-stage exit, the Rajkot opener on 11 October doubles as a personal and collective redemption mission.
Key Takeaways
Ravindra Jadeja named in Saurashtra's 16-member squad for the Ranji Trophy 2026/27 opener against Chhattisgarh on 11 October .
Jaydev Unadkat continues as captain; he picked up 28 wickets in 7 matches for Sussex at an average of 22.21 .
Jadeja's domestic outing is aimed at building red-ball form ahead of India's two-match Test series in New Zealand in November–December 2026 .
Two new call-ups: pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav ; 14 players retained from last season.
Spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has moved to represent Chhattisgarh , adding spin responsibility to Parth Bhut .
Saurashtra — two-time Ranji champions under Unadkat — exited in the group stage in 2025/26 and seek a stronger campaign.
Ravindra Jadeja has been named in Saurashtra's 16-member squad for their Ranji Trophy 2026/27 campaign opener against Chhattisgarh, with veteran left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat retaining the captaincy. The match is scheduled at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, as the 92nd edition of the premier domestic red-ball tournament gets underway on 11 October.
Jadeja's Red-Ball Rebuild
Jadeja returns to domestic cricket having featured in India's 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies, where he managed only two wickets in two matches and did not get an opportunity to bat. The Ranji stint is widely seen as a chance for the veteran all-rounder to sharpen his red-ball instincts ahead of India's two-match Test tour of New Zealand — scheduled in Wellington (19–23 November) and Christchurch (27 November–1 December).
Unadkat's Form and Saurashtra's Motivation
Unadkat arrives in red-ball mode on the back of a standout stint with Sussex, where he claimed 28 wickets across seven matches at an average of 22.21, including a stellar 5-32 against Hampshire and two four-wicket hauls. He previously led Saurashtra to Ranji Trophy titles in 2019/20 and 2022/23. This season carries added urgency — the side suffered an early group-stage exit in the 2025/26 edition and will be eager to mount a serious challenge once again.
Squad Changes and New Faces
Saurashtra have retained 14 players from last season's squad, with the selection committee handing debuts to pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav. Harvik Desai continues behind the stumps, while Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani, and Jay Gohil anchor the batting order. One notable departure is experienced left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who has moved on to represent Chhattisgarh — ironically, Saurashtra's first opponent — placing additional spin-bowling responsibility on Parth Bhut for the season. Chetan Sakariya will partner Unadkat in the pace attack.
Group B Landscape
Saurashtra are placed in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab, and Tripura. With the squad featuring a blend of India-tested talent and hungry newcomers, how they navigate this group will set the tone for a potential title challenge. The tournament's full squad for Saurashtra reads: 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, and Tarang Gohel.
With Jadeja's Test future at stake and Saurashtra hungry to atone for last season's early exit, the Rajkot opener on 11 October carries weight well beyond a routine round-one fixture.
Point of View
And he heads into the New Zealand Tests with limited red-ball time this year — a concern for a spin-bowling all-rounder whose value in the five-day game depends on rhythm. Saurashtra's selection also highlights a quiet structural story: Dharmendrasinh Jadeja departing for Chhattisgarh underscores the player movement pressures that smaller state associations routinely face, even when they are competing as champions. Whether Jadeja's Ranji cameo translates into the sustained form India need in Wellington and Christchurch remains the real question behind this squad announcement.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Ravindra Jadeja been included in Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy squad?
Jadeja has been included to rebuild his red-ball form and rhythm ahead of India's two-match Test series against New Zealand in November–December 2026. He recently played in India's 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies but had limited bowling and no batting opportunities.
When and where does Saurashtra play their Ranji Trophy 2026/27 opener?
Saurashtra open their Ranji Trophy 2026/27 campaign against Chhattisgarh at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on 11 October 2026, the tournament's opening day.
Who is captaining Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2026/27?
Jaydev Unadkat continues to captain Saurashtra. He previously led the side to Ranji Trophy titles in 2019/20 and 2022/23, and returns in strong form after picking up 28 wickets in 7 matches for Sussex in England.
Who are the new players in Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy squad this season?
The selection committee has given call-ups to pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav as the two new faces in the squad. Fourteen other players have been retained from last season.
Which group is Saurashtra placed in for the Ranji Trophy 2026/27?
Saurashtra are in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab, and Tripura. The side suffered an early group-stage exit in 2025/26 and will be looking to improve significantly this season.
