Veteran domestic cricketer Jalaj Saxena on Saturday joined Maharashtra ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 after parting ways with Kerala where he played for nine seasons.
The squad also features India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad who has captained his state team in the past, while the selectors opted to go with experience, picking Pradeep Dadhe over Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
Shubman Gill's return to Ranji Trophy ended in a two-ball duck as Saurashtra and Punjab batters struggled on a rank turner during the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match in Rajkot
Prithvi Shaw produced a statement innings - a commanding unbeaten century on Day 1 of their three-day practice match at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje, proving that a change in jersey hasn't dimmed his hunger or timing.
Since last year, he has found a new lease of life as an opener, scoring three centuries in five innings across series against Bangladesh and South Africa
A resilient Kerala sealed their maiden Ranji Trophy final by taking a dramatic two-run first-innings lead over Gujarat, 68 years after making their debut.
SMAT: Haryana beat Bengal to enter Super 8s, Punjab also qualify
Jharkhand''s Kumar Kushagra slams double-ton against Baroda in Ranji Trophy
Opener Musheer Khan (112) and veteran Siddhesh Lad (100 not out) hit centuries to rally Mumbai to 289/5 on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Himachal Pradesh.
A resilient 72-run unbroken partnership for the eighth wicket between Jaymeet Patel and Siddharth Desai, following a commanding 148 from opener Priyank Panchal, kept Gujarat on the brink of a third Ranji Trophy final as they finished day four at 429/7 in response to Kerala's 457.
Saurashtra registered their narrowest T20 victory in terms of runs, edging Karnataka by one run in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 Elite Group D match.
Mhatre's maiden ton, Dube blitz fire Mumbai to seven-wicket win over Vidarbha
A round-up of Sunday's action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy group stage matches.
Aditya Thakare's impressive four-wicket haul left Tamil Nadu struggling at 159 for six after the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Vidarbha.
Jharkhand batsman Ishank Jaggi scored a gutsy century to bail his team out of a precarious situation as East Zone finished their first innings at a respectable 232 against Central Zone on the third day of Duleep Trophy final.
Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad said there are many 'laughable things' in Indian cricket and among them is the non-selection of Kerala spinner Jalaj Saxena.
Australian batsmen's woes against spinners were exposed once again as India A's unfancied duo of left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruv and off-spinner Jalaj Saxena excelled with an impressive display, forcing the visitors to follow on before the warm-up match ended in a draw in Chennai.
Sanju Samson will miss Kerala's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, beginning on January 23, as he has been included in India's squad for the five-match T20I series against England. Samson may also miss the final Group C match against Bihar if he is not released from India's squad.
Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani returned a five-wicket haul as a dominant Mumbai crushed Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 120 runs.
After wrecking havoc on rival camp along with Rakesh Dhruv on the third and final day of the second warm-up game, off-spinner Jalaj Saxena on Monday said they put Australia "under pressure" and the visitors would go into the first Test "low on confidence".
Here's a roundup of all Ranji Trophy matches played on Day 1 on Wednesday.
Former winners Vidarbha will rely on their red-hot form to stake claim for a title they last won over five years ago, while first-time finalists Kerala will be driven by grit when the two contrasting teams clash in the summit showdown for the 90th Ranji Trophy, starting in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Skipper Devendra Bundela scored an unbeaten century and shared a match-winning 185-run stand with Jalaj Saxena (72 not out) as Madhya Pradesh spanked Punjab by eight wickets in their Ranji Trophy Group A match, in Gwalior on Tuesday. Chasing a 190-run target, Madhya Pradesh overcame two early jolts to get the required runs in 45.3 overs.
Mumbai were bowled out for 181 in their second innings, setting J&K 243 runs to win the season-opening match.
Vimal Khumar and Pradosh Ranjan Paul struck massive hundreds as Tamil Nadu piled up 399 for two against Nagaland on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match in Dimapur on Saturday.
Central Zone's Madhya Pradesh duo of Jalaj Saxena and wicketkeeper batsman Naman Ojha took full advantage of dropped catches and took an inexperienced North Zone attack to the cleaners as they posted 344 for three at stumps, on the first day of their Duleep Trophy semi-final, at Mohali, on Wednesday.
Round up of all the Ranji Trophy action on Thursday
Captain Paras Dogra delivered when it mattered the most, lifting Jammu & Kashmir to 180/3 for a substantial overall lead against Kerala.
Veteran Sachin Baby steadied Kerala's innings with a resolute unbeaten half-century, guiding his team to 206/4
Dubey said he did not try anything different for his record wicket haul but credited the feat to getting a regular run in the premier domestic tournament.
Harsh Dubey strikes twice as Kerala reach 219/5 at lunch on Day 3 in Ranji final against Vidarbha
Veteran Luke Ronchi smashed a quick century as New Zealand 'A' recovered from a precarious position to post a respectable 310 against India 'A' on the second day of their three-day match in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
Roundup of Ranji Trophy matched played on Sunday
Karun Nair slammed his fourth century of the Ranji Trophy season to help Vidarbha tighten their grip over Kerala, in the final, in Nagpur on Saturday.
Indian cricket has celebrated the emergence of a potent fast bowling unit but it is high time that the establishment focuses on producing quality Test spinners, especially off-break bowlers, stated former players. Ravichandran Ashwin (365 wickets in 71 Tests) has been an impact bowler in home conditions but the current team management hasn't exactly put complete faith in Tamil Nadu tweaker's abilities in overseas conditions.
India captured four wickets to reduce South Africa 'A' to 179 for 9, who go into day four with a paltry lead of 40 runs in the second innings.
A summary of Friday's action in the Ranji Trophy matches across the country.
Roundup of matches across various venues in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25
South Africa 'A' fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, on a comeback trail after injury, bowled Gill, who made a classy 90 in the first innings to leave India 'A' at 10 for one.
Spinner Shams Mulani (5/71) and Himanshu Singh (4/77) wreaked havoc by sharing nine wickets between them as defending champions Mumbai crushed Odisha.