Indian Test Stars Struggle in Ranji Trophy-2025 While Ravindra Jadeja Shines
Indian Test Stars Struggle in Ranji Trophy-2025 While Ravindra Jadeja Shines–>Ravindra Jadeja’s stellar performance for Saurashtra provided a silver lining, the struggles of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant highlighted the challenges Indian Test stars face in domestic cricket. The push for domestic cricket participation is a welcome move, but players will need to adapt quickly to make a significant impact and regain their form.
Ravindra Jadeja Shines Bright for Saurashtra
Ravindra Jadeja turned out to be the sole Indian superstar to live up to expectations in the Ranji Trophy on Friday. Representing Saurashtra, Jadeja delivered a spectacular performance with the ball, claiming a remarkable 12-wicket haul against Delhi at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
In the first innings, Jadeja picked up 5/66, and he was even more lethal in the second essay, finishing with figures of 7/38. His efforts powered Saurashtra to a commanding 10-wicket victory with a bonus point in their Elite Group D match.
While Jadeja’s comeback performance was a source of pride for Indian cricket, his start to the game was less than ideal, as he conceded nine runs in his first over. However, he quickly redeemed himself, proving why he is considered one of the best all-rounders in the world.
Rishabh Pant and Delhi Falter
Jadeja’s brilliance was in stark contrast to the struggles of Delhi’s Rishabh Pant, who endured a disappointing outing. The India wicketkeeper-batter managed scores of just 1 and 17 in his two innings. Pant’s twin failures added to Delhi’s misery as they were outplayed comprehensively by Saurashtra.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal Disappoint for Mumbai
India’s Test captain, Rohit Sharma, and his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, had forgettable returns to the Ranji Trophy while playing for defending champions Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir.
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Rohit appeared to be finding his rhythm as he hit three towering sixes and stitched a 54-run opening stand with Jaiswal. However, his innings ended prematurely at 28 off 35 balls, marked by flashes of brilliance but an overall lack of consistency. Rohit’s recent struggles, combined with his inability to convert starts, have kept him under scrutiny.
Jaiswal, who had impressed on the international stage during India’s tour of Australia, also failed to make an impact. He managed scores of 4 and 26, falling leg-before wicket in the first innings and looking out of sorts in the second.
Shardul Thakur and Tanush Kotian Show Resilience
With Mumbai’s top-order faltering, veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur stepped up with gritty performances in both innings. He scored 51 in the first innings and followed it up with another fighting half-century in the second, keeping Mumbai afloat. Tanush Kotian also showed promise, contributing vital runs in a lower-order fightback.
Shreyas Iyer and Other Batters Fail to Deliver
Shreyas Iyer, who has been in tremendous form recently, failed to carry his momentum into the Ranji Trophy. He scored 11 and 17 in his two innings, struggling to find his usual fluency. The Indian middle-order mainstay will be looking to bounce back in the coming matches.
Shubman Gill’s Short Stay at the Crease
India’s ODI vice-captain, Shubman Gill, also had a lackluster outing for Punjab against Karnataka at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Opening the innings, Gill was dismissed for just four runs off eight deliveries. Punjab, who were skittled out for a paltry 55 on the first day, faced an uphill battle throughout the match.
BCCI’s Push for Domestic Cricket Participation
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it mandatory for international players who are not on national duty or injured to participate in domestic cricket. While this decision aims to enhance the performance of Indian players across formats, the initial results in the Ranji Trophy have been underwhelming for many of the national team stars.