Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will represent Saurashtra in their opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season against Chhattisgarh.
Captain Jaydev Unadkat will lead the 16-member squad when the two sides meet at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Jadeja joins the team after India secured a 2-1 victory in their recent ODI series against the West Indies.
The left-arm spinner claimed two wickets in two matches but did not get an opportunity to bat. His participation in the domestic tournament will help him regain his red-ball rhythm before India’s two-Test tour of New Zealand.
The series will begin in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the Christchurch Test from November 27 to December 1.
The 92nd edition of the Ranji Trophy begins on October 11.
Saurashtra will compete in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab and Tripura.
The team retained 14 players from last season after suffering an early group-stage exit. Saurashtra won the title under Unadkat’s captaincy in 2019-20 and 2022-23.
Unadkat enters the campaign after an impressive stint with Sussex, where he claimed 28 wickets in seven matches at an average of 22.21. His performance included figures of 5-32 against Hampshire and two four-wicket hauls.
Selectors have included pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav as new additions. Harvik Desai will handle wicketkeeping, while experienced batters Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani and Jay Gohil will strengthen the batting line-up.
Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya will spearhead the pace attack.
With left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja moving to Chhattisgarh, Parth Bhut will shoulder greater responsibility in the spin department.
Saurashtra Squad: Jaydev Unadkat (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harvik Desai (wicketkeeper), 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.
Also Read: India Face West Indies In Ranchi As Selection Calls Take Centre Stage
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