After Rohit’s confirmation, will Jadeja too play Ranji Trophy? Saurashtra Cricket President reveals
Xtra Time Web Desk: India's star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to play for Saurashtra in their upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Delhi in Rajkot, starting January 23. Jadeja confirmed his availability for the premier domestic cricket tournament after joining a practice session in Rajkot on Sunday, January 19.
Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah confirmed the development, saying, "Jadeja has turned up for training today. He will play the next match." This marks Jadeja's return to domestic cricket after previously featuring in a Ranji Trophy game last year against Tamil Nadu during the final stages of his recovery from an injury.
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Star Players Embrace Domestic Cricket
Jadeja’s announcement coincides with news that India captain Rohit Sharma will play for Mumbai in their match against Jammu and Kashmir, also beginning January 23. Additionally, young stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are set to represent Mumbai and Punjab, respectively, in the same round. However, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli will miss their respective games due to injury concerns.
Rohit Sharma, addressing the importance of domestic cricket, said, “Star players should not take domestic cricket for granted. Over the last 6-7 years, if you see our calendar, there hasn't been much downtime for players. Domestic cricket is a crucial part of our season and runs parallel to India’s international commitments.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently introduced stricter guidelines, making domestic cricket participation mandatory for national team selection. These measures came after India’s losses in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and their failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time.
Jadeja’s form and future assignments
Jadeja showcased his batting prowess during the recent Australia tour, scoring 135 runs at an average of 41 in three Tests. The 36-year-old all-rounder was also named in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, as announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday.
Following his Ranji Trophy appearance, Jadeja will return to international action in the ODI series against England, starting February 6.
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A renewed focus on domestic cricket
The BCCI’s emphasis on domestic cricket has reinvigorated the tournament, with senior players participating alongside emerging talent. With Jadeja and other top stars in action, the Ranji Trophy promises to deliver high-quality cricket and bolster India’s talent pool for future international competitions.
