Jaydev Unadkat starred with the ball as Saurashtra claimed a 31-run first-innings lead over Chandigarh on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Elite Group B clash at Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, Chandigarh. Unadkat’s four-wicket haul (4/44) helped bowl out Chandigarh for 136, giving Saurashtra a strong start in the contest.
Saurashtra’s Bowling Dominance
After winning the toss, Saurashtra elected to field. Veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat led the attack, supported by Chirag Jani and Chetan Sakariya, who picked up two wickets each. Prerak Mankad chipped in with one wicket. Chandigarh struggled to build momentum, with only Jagjit Singh Sandhu (29) and Arjit Singh (29) contributing meaningful runs, while Arjun Azad added 20. The disciplined Saurashtra bowling ensured the opposition were bundled out in 42.1 overs.
Saurashtra’s Strong Response
In reply, Saurashtra reached 167/1 in 38 overs by stumps. Harvik Desai scored an unbeaten 80 off 117 balls, including nine fours and a six, while Jay Gohil was not out on 61 from 59 deliveries. Their partnership laid a solid foundation for Saurashtra to extend their first-innings lead.
Milestone Celebration: Dharmendrasinh Jadeja
The day also saw Saurashtra spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja celebrated for his 100th first-class appearance. Team skipper Jaydev Unadkat, manager Mohansinh Jadeja, and coach Niraj Odedara presented a memento in front of both teams. BCCI Apex Council member Jaydev Shah praised Jadeja for his exceptional contributions and impact on the game.
Other Ranji Trophy Day One Highlights
Madhya Pradesh vs Maharashtra
At Holkar Stadium, Indore, MP were bowled out for 187, with Rajvardhan Hangargekar taking five wickets. By stumps, MP reduced Maharashtra to 52/2 in a thrilling contest, keeping both teams in the hunt for a must-win game.
Punjab vs Karnataka
In Mohali, Punjab recovered from 168/6 to end day one on 303/9 on a turning track. Emanjot Chahal remained unbeaten on 77, while Shreyas Gopal and Vidyadhar Patil took three wickets each for Karnataka, who require a win to remain in contention for the knockout stage.
Goa vs Kerala
At Porvorim, Goa finished at 279/8, powered by Suyash Prabhudessai’s 86 and Yash Kasvankar’s 50. Arjun Tendulkar added a brisk 36. For Kerala, Ankit Sharma claimed 5/88, with support from Nedumankuzhy Basil (2/55) and Sachin Baby (1/36).
Conclusion
Jaydev Unadkat’s exceptional bowling and Saurashtra’s strong batting response, led by Harvik Desai and Jay Gohil, gave the team a commanding position against Chandigarh. Milestone celebrations and impressive performances across other venues highlighted the competitive start to the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, setting the tone for the knockout battles ahead.
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