Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Ravindra Jadeja orchestrates Delhi's first innings batting collapse with fifer

Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made an emphatic return to the Ranji Trophy with a brilliant five-wicket haul that dismantled Delhi’s batting lineup in a Group D clash at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C, Rajkot. The veteran spinner, playing for Saurashtra, displayed his class by claiming figures of 5/66, his 35th First-Class five-wicket haul, as Delhi were bowled out for 188 in 49.4 overs.

Jadeja dismantled Delhi's top order including the prized wickets Sanat Sangwan, Yash Dhull, and captain Ayush Badoni. His final two wickets came in consecutive deliveries in terms of Harsh Tyagi and Navdeep Saini.

Delhi’s innings saw contributions from Badoni who played a captain’s knock of 60 off 78 balls, lacing his innings with five fours and two sixes. Dhull contributed 44 runs but failed to convert his start into a big score. The rest of the batting lineup struggled against Jadeja and fellow spinners Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (3/63) and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya (1/28).

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Rishabh Pant departs after adding just a run

The match also saw the return of India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to domestic cricket after a long gap. However, Pant had a forgettable outing, managing just a single run off 10 deliveries before being caught by Prerak Mankad off Dharmendrasinh Jadeja. 

Jadeja's last Ranji Trophy game dates back to 2023 against Tamil Nadu, where he ended with figures of 7/53. The veteran has so far picked 542 first-class wickets at an average of 23.88 and 7,466 runs at 43.66 with 13 centuries.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Rishabh Pant departs early in Delhi's clash against Saurashtra

Meanwhile, this is a must-win encounter for both teams, as Saurashtra and Delhi are currently fourth and fifth in Group D, respectively, with only the top two sides advancing to the quarterfinals. Cheteshwar Pujara, another stalwart of Indian cricket, is part of the Saurashtra lineup for this game.