Rajkot: Ravindra Jadeja marked his return to red-ball cricket by scoring a century for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh in their Ranji Trophy match on Monday. The India all-rounder accumulated 102 runs from 209 deliveries, helping his team recover from a precarious position to reach a total of 392 in their first innings.
Jadeja stepped to the crease when Saurashtra sat at 120 for three, and subsequently helped stabilize the innings after another dismissal brought the score to 151. He teamed up with Prerak Mankad to forge a 205-run partnership for the fifth wicket that shifted the momentum of the game.
Mankad contributed 129 runs from 150 balls, featuring fifteen boundaries and a six, while Jadeja hit seven fours during his patient innings. Their massive stand pushed Saurashtra to 356 for five before Jadeja fell, caught and bowled by Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, a former Saurashtra teammate now playing for Chhattisgarh.
This milestone marked the 16th first-class century of Jadeja's career. The performance also provided Saurashtra with a solid foundation in their opening fixture following an early exit from the tournament last season.
Jadeja's participation in domestic red-ball action serves as preparation for India's upcoming two-Test series in New Zealand next month. Having recently played in two matches during India's 2-1 ODI series victory against the West Indies—where he claimed two wickets but did not bat—the all-rounder welcomed the extended time spent in the middle.
India's tour begins with the first Test in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. The matches will offer Jadeja further chances to make an impact in the international arena with both bat and ball.