Ranji Trophy: Jadeja's 12 Wickets Propel Saurashtra to Dominant Win Against Delhi

Key Takeaways

Ravindra Jadeja claimed 12 wickets in the match.
Saurashtra achieved a 10-wicket victory over Delhi.
Delhi was bowled out for 94 runs in both innings.
Jadeja was named Player of the Match.
Saurashtra is now in contention for the knockout stage.

Rajkot, Jan 24 (NationPress) Ravindra Jadeja showcased a classic performance of spin bowling on a turning pitch in Rajkot, achieving a remarkable match total of 12 wickets and leading Saurashtra to a decisive 10-wicket victory over Delhi in just two days during their Ranji Trophy Group D encounter at Niranjan Shah Stadium.

This commanding victory keeps Saurashtra firmly in the hunt for a knockout position, while Delhi finds their chances hanging by a thread.

The match commenced with Saurashtra opting to bowl first on a challenging surface, a strategic move by captain Jaydev Unadkat to leverage their spin prowess. After dismissing Delhi for 188 runs in the first innings, Saurashtra countered with a challenging 271 in their first innings, spurred by resilient contributions from their middle order.

Delhi's response was catastrophic. Jadeja, making a return to domestic cricket to regain his match fitness for upcoming international commitments, was sensational. He captured 7/38, dismantling Delhi's batting order, which collapsed for a paltry 94 runs in just 25.2 overs. Dharmendra Jadeja assisted with two wickets.

Delhi's Rishabh Pant was unable to make a mark, scoring just 1 run in the first innings before falling to Dharmendra Jadeja while attempting a poorly timed slog-sweep.

Starting their second innings trailing by 83 runs, Delhi was already under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja returned with increased vigor, exploiting the spin-friendly conditions to devastating effect, once again tearing through Delhi's lineup.

Pant attempted a brief counterattack, scoring 17, but was outdone by Jadeja’s extra bounce, edging to first slip. Captain Ayush Badoni stood out for Delhi with a resilient 44, but the rest of the lineup fell victim to relentless pressure. Delhi was bowled out for 94, leaving Saurashtra just 12 runs to claim victory.

Saurashtra achieved the target in just 3.1 overs, securing a remarkable 10-wicket win. After the match, Jadeja was seen imparting bowling advice to Delhi's struggling left-arm spinner Harsh Tyagi, who has had a disappointing season. Jadeja also earned the Player of the Match award.

This triumph elevated Saurashtra to 18 points, placing them back in the race for a knockout spot alongside Tamil Nadu (19 points) and Chandigarh (18 points). Delhi, with 14 points, must secure a victory in their final game against Railways and rely on favorable outcomes in other matches to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.