While several Indian internationals struggled on their return to the Ranji Trophy, Ravindra Jadeja delivered a sensational all-round performance, helping Saurashtra secure a dominant 10-wicket victory over Delhi in Rajkot. The 36-year-old all-rounder showcased his world-class bowling, picking up 12 wickets across both innings, dismantling a Delhi batting lineup featuring Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, and Yash Dhull.
Jadeja first struck with the ball in the first innings, taking 5 wickets for 66 runs, which played a crucial role in bundling out Delhi for 188 runs. With the bat, he contributed 38 runs, helping Saurashtra gain a crucial first-innings lead of 83 runs. However, it was his devastating spell in the second innings, where he claimed 7 wickets for just 38 runs, that completely crushed Delhi, bowling them out for a mere 94 runs.
For his match-winning effort, Jadeja was awarded the Player of the Match, making a strong statement about his form and fitness.
Match Breakdown: How Jadeja Dismantled Delhi
First Innings
Delhi, after opting to bat first, struggled against Jadeja’s relentless left-arm spin. He picked up key wickets, dismissing:
- Sanat Sangwan
- Yash Dhull
- Ayush Badoni
- Harsh Tyagi
- Navdeep Saini
His 5/66 ensured that Delhi could not build a solid first-innings total. Saurashtra then responded strongly, led by Jadeja’s quickfire 38, to take a vital 83-run lead.
Second Innings
Delhi’s batting collapsed under the pressure of Jadeja’s brilliance, as he produced a match-defining spell of 7/38, running through their lineup. His wickets included Ayush Badoni and Rishabh Pant, two of Delhi’s most promising batters.
With just 12 runs needed for victory, Saurashtra openers Harvik Desai and Arpit Vasavada comfortably chased down the target in 3.1 overs, sealing a bonus point win.
Other Indian Internationals Struggle in Ranji Trophy Return
While Jadeja dominated, other returning Indian internationals failed to make an impact in the domestic circuit.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai vs J&K, BKC Stadium)
- Rohit Sharma: Scores of 3 and 28, struggling against Jammu & Kashmir’s disciplined bowling attack.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Out cheaply for 4 and 26, failing to capitalize on starts.
Shubman Gill (Punjab vs Karnataka, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)
- Dismissed for just 4 in Punjab’s first innings, as Karnataka’s bowlers ripped through their batting lineup.
Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant (Delhi vs Saurashtra, Rajkot)
- Shreyas Iyer: Scores of 11 and 17, failing to anchor the Delhi innings.
- Rishabh Pant: Fell for just 1 run, rounding off a poor outing for India’s Test batters.
A Bowler’s Dominated Round in Ranji Trophy
This round of the Ranji Trophy sixth round saw bowlers dictating terms across venues, with batters struggling to adapt to the challenging conditions. Apart from Jadeja, several bowlers produced standout performances:
- Aarya Desai (Gujarat vs Uttarakhand): 9-wicket haul in the first innings, leading Gujarat’s charge.
- Khaleel Ahmed (Rajasthan vs Vidarbha): A fiery five-wicket haul, showcasing his potential for a national comeback.
Meanwhile, some batters did manage to impress:
- Tanmay Agarwal (Hyderabad vs Himachal Pradesh): Became the first player this season to cross 700 runs, with a century.
- Shubham Sharma (Madhya Pradesh): Played a fighting half-century under pressure.
- Andre Siddarth (Tamil Nadu vs Chandigarh): The 18-year-old scored his maiden first-class century, making a name for himself in domestic cricket.
What’s Next? Can Indian Internationals Bounce Back?
While Jadeja reaffirmed his all-round prowess, the struggles of India’s Test batters remain a talking point. With the Ranji Trophy serving as a crucial platform to prepare for upcoming international fixtures, these players will be under scrutiny in the next round of matches.
As Indian fans await improved performances from their star players, Jadeja’s masterclass in spin bowling has undoubtedly stolen the spotlight, proving that he remains a key figure in the Indian cricket setup.
