Ranji Trophy Day 3: KL Rahul fails again, Jadeja shines with ton and three wickets
Synopsis
KL Rahul's Ranji Trophy horror run deepened on Day 3 — just one run in Karnataka's second innings against Andhra, adding to a four-run first-innings effort. Across the country, Ravindra Jadeja reminded everyone of his enduring value: a century followed by 3 for 40 for Saurashtra, setting up a potential win. Karnataka, by contrast, face a race against time to even save the match.
Key Takeaways
KL Rahul scored just 1 run in Karnataka's second innings against Andhra in Vijayawada , following a first-innings 4 .
Karnataka ended Day 3 at 176 for 4 , holding only a 32-run lead ; Karun Nair unbeaten on 81 .
Ravindra Jadeja backed his 102 with 3 for 40 as Saurashtra dismissed Chhattisgarh for 312 in Rajkot .
Mumbai completed an innings and 155-run win over Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium in Group D.
Bengal posted 429 on the back of Abishek Porel's 149 and Sudip Gharami's 133 against Delhi in Group C.
Uttar Pradesh crushed Bihar by an innings and 267 runs in Group A.
KL Rahul endured another forgettable outing in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 as he was dismissed for just one run in Karnataka's second innings against Andhra in their Group B clash in Vijayawada on 13 October — following a meagre four runs in the first innings. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja delivered a commanding all-round display, backing his 102 in the first innings with 3 for 40 for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh in Rajkot.
KL Rahul's Batting Troubles Deepen
Rahul's latest failure is the continuation of a lean run in domestic cricket. Representing Karnataka in the Group B fixture, the India senior batter managed just one run in the second innings after scoring four in the first — a combined tally of five runs across both innings. Mayank Agarwal fared only marginally better with 18.
Karnataka ended Day 3 at 176 for 4, holding only a slender 32-run lead. Karun Nair remained unbeaten on 81, offering some resilience alongside captain Smaran Ravichandran, who was unbeaten on 21. With just one day left, Karnataka require something exceptional for an outright win; a draw would yield just one point given their first-innings deficit. Andhra, who replied with 418 after bowling Karnataka out for 274, stand to earn six points from a win or three from a draw.
Jadeja's All-Round Brilliance for Saurashtra
In Rajkot, Ravindra Jadeja produced a vintage performance. After scoring 102 with the bat in the first innings, he returned figures of 3 for 40 to help dismiss Chhattisgarh for 312. Saurashtra were 45 for 0 at stumps in their second innings and are well-positioned to push for a win or at least three points on the final day.
Punjab Struggling Against Assam
In New Chandigarh, Punjab appear to be losing their grip on their Group B fixture against Assam. Ending Day 3 at 287 for 5, they still trail by 86 runs. Salil Arora and Emanjot Singh Chahal were unbeaten on 25 and 28, respectively, but the lower order must do significant work on the final day.
Group A and Other Key Developments
In Group A, Madhya Pradesh are at 151 for 5 in their second innings against defending champions Jammu and Kashmir, with Shubham Sharma unbeaten on 51 and a lead of 227 runs. In Nagpur, Puducherry were dismissed for 313 against Vidarbha, with Ritesh Gudge (95), Mohit Kale (78) and Nikhil Gangta (54) contributing half-centuries. Parth Rekhade and Aman Mokhade took three wickets each for Vidarbha, who ended Day 3 at 22 for 1 with a 137-run lead.
Goa trail Baroda by 238 runs after being made to follow on, ending Day 3 at 35 for 1 having been dismissed for 199 in their first innings. Uttar Pradesh registered a dominant innings and 267-run win over Bihar.
Group C and Group D Snapshots
In Group C, Delhi trail Bengal by 88 runs after ending at 101 for 3. Bengal's 429 was powered by Abishek Porel's 149 and Sudip Gharami's 133. Kerala are in deep trouble at 269 for 6 against Jharkhand, trailing by 318 runs in reply to 587. Maharashtra lead Services in Delhi by 172 runs, while Odisha hold a narrow four-run lead over Gujarat on Day 3.
In Group D, Mumbai completed a commanding innings and 155-run win over Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium. Rajasthan lead Tamil Nadu by 170 runs, while Haryana require just 45 more runs to beat Himachal Pradesh, who were dismissed for 113 in their second innings. Railways trail Uttarakhand by 158 runs, with the latter having posted 470 against Railways' first-innings 278.
With final-day play across all venues set to deliver results, Rahul's form — and Karnataka's survival bid — will be among the most closely watched storylines.
Point of View
Not compound doubts. Jadeja's all-round display, on the other hand, underscores why veterans who keep putting in the work at the domestic level tend to stay relevant far longer than their detractors expect. The real story across Day 3 is not just individual performances but a broader sorting exercise — the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 is already separating sides with genuine match-winning instincts from those muddling through.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did KL Rahul perform in the Ranji Trophy on 13 October 2026?
KL Rahul scored just one run in Karnataka's second innings against Andhra in Vijayawada, following a four-run effort in the first innings — a combined tally of five runs across the match. Karnataka ended Day 3 at 176 for 4, still trailing with only a 32-run lead and one day left.
What did Ravindra Jadeja achieve in the Ranji Trophy Day 3 match?
Ravindra Jadeja took 3 for 40 in Chhattisgarh's first innings for Saurashtra in Rajkot, following his century of 102 in the first innings with the bat. Chhattisgarh were bowled out for 312, and Saurashtra were 45 for 0 in their second innings at stumps, well-placed for a win.
What are Karnataka's chances of winning their Ranji Trophy match against Andhra?
Karnataka's chances of an outright win are slim. With a 32-run lead at 176 for 4 entering the final day, they need significantly more runs and then wickets. A draw would yield just one point as they hold a first-innings deficit; Andhra stand to earn three points from a draw.
How did Mumbai perform in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27?
Mumbai completed a dominant innings and 155-run win over Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium in a Group D fixture, one of the most comprehensive victories of Day 3 across all groups.
Which other notable performances stood out on Ranji Trophy Day 3?
Bengal's Abishek Porel (149) and Sudip Gharami (133) helped Bengal post 429 against Delhi in Group C. Uttar Pradesh beat Bihar by an innings and 267 runs, while Haryana needed just 45 more runs to beat Himachal Pradesh entering the final day.
