Read: Ravindra Jadeja Bags His 35th First-Class Match Ball

Ravindra Jadeja’s much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra was a standout moment, eclipsing the performances of many of his Indian teammates who struggled to leave a significant mark. Jadeja's all-round brilliance against Delhi was pivotal in Saurashtra's commanding dominance throughout the match.

His devastating five-wicket spell with the ball and his aggressive batting left a lasting impression, allowing his side to assert control for much of the encounter. Here’s a recap of Jadeja’s sensational performance, which stole the spotlight and played a crucial role in Saurashtra’s success.

Ravindra Jadeja’s Sweet Return Home 

Ravindra Jadeja decided to play the remainder of the Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra, joining his teammates Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and others. After confirming his availability, he was selected for the team facing Delhi, which included Rishabh Pant. The last time Jadeja played in the Ranji Trophy, he recorded impressive figures of 7/53 against Tamil Nadu. Returning to the Ranji Trophy, he showcased his form with a remarkable 5/66 against Delhi. This performance exemplified his mindset and approach to the game.

Jadeja's five wickets included those of Sanat Sangwan, Yash Dull, Delhi captain Ayush Badoni, and tail-enders Harsh Tyagi and Navdeep Saini. His fifer restricted Delhi to a modest total of 188 runs in their first innings. After his outstanding bowling effort, Jadeja took the match ball back to the dressing room, marking a sweet and impactful return. The quality that Jadeja demonstrates, regardless of the tournament, highlights his class and temperament.

Jadeja didn’t stop with his bowling performance; when he came down to bat, Saurashtra was in early trouble, having lost three wickets in quick succession. He joined Harvik Desai to form a crucial partnership, and Jadeja was not in the mood to defend. He took the attack to the Delhi bowlers, hitting three sixes and two fours before getting out after scoring 38 runs off 36 balls. He and Desai put together an innings-saving partnership of 76 runs off 71 balls, which provided stability as Saurashtra was chasing runs. Ultimately, Saurashtra was all out for 271, taking a lead of 82 runs.

Jadeja’s return already stood out as one of the best performances in that day’s Ranji roundup, and fans were eager to see how he would perform in the second innings, with Saurashtra in a strong position to win against Delhi.

The following day, Ravindra Jadeja took to Instagram to share a special moment with his fans, proudly posting a picture of his 35th match ball in first-class cricket. It was a significant milestone for the all-rounder, marking yet another achievement in his illustrious career.