Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Jadeja confirms availability for January 22 match, Saurashtra CA President Jaydev Shah shares update
Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will feature for Saurashtra in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Punjab, scheduled to begin on January 22 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The confirmation was given by Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) president Jaydev Shah, who said Jadeja personally informed the association about his availability for the match.
Jaydev Shah stated that Ravindra Jadeja called and clearly confirmed that he would represent Saurashtra in the crucial home fixture against Punjab. However, no clarity has been provided regarding his participation in matches after this encounter. Shah added that while Jadeja’s availability beyond the Punjab match remains uncertain, he will definitely play in the Rajkot game.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association has also learned that Indian captain Shubman Gill is likely to travel to Rajkot to represent Punjab in the same match. Jaydev Shah said the association has received information that Gill will be coming to Rajkot to play for Punjab, which could make the contest more exciting with two prominent Indian cricketers featuring on opposite sides.
Saurashtra’s performance in the Ranji Trophy (Elite) this season has been mixed so far. The team’s first four matches ended in draws before they registered a convincing win against Goa by an innings and 47 runs in November 2025. After the home match against Punjab, Saurashtra will travel to play their next fixture against Chandigarh, which begins on January 29.
Shubman Gill has not played any Ranji Trophy matches this season so far. His last appearance in domestic red-ball cricket came in the previous season when he played against Karnataka. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has featured in only one domestic match for Saurashtra this season, which was against Madhya Pradesh and ended in a draw.
In the points table, Saurashtra are currently placed fourth in their Elite Group with one win and four draws from five matches, trailing Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Punjab, on the other hand, are placed sixth, having recorded one win and one loss in their five games.
Both teams will have one league match remaining after this encounter. With no immediate international commitments for either Jadeja or Gill, there is a possibility that both players could also be available for their respective state teams in the final group match of the Ranji Trophy.