Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Highlights from the First Round of Matches

The first round of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 showcased remarkable performances from players like Ravindra Jadeja and Karun Nair. Jadeja's all-round display earned him the 'Player of the Match' award, while young talents shone brightly across various teams. Key matches included Madhya Pradesh's impressive innings and Vidarbha's solid victory over Puducherry. The tournament continues to highlight emerging cricket stars and thrilling matches. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the matches and standout performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 14, 2026, 19:31 IST

Overview of the First Round

The initial round of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 concluded on Wednesday, showcasing impressive performances from Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, batter Karun Nair, pacer Mohammed Shami, and several uncapped talents.

Key Performances

Ravindra Jadeja earned the 'Player of the Match' title for scoring 102 runs and taking three wickets in Saurashtra's drawn match against Chhattisgarh. In Punjab's match against Assam, three young batters, including U19 standout Vihaan Malhotra, scored centuries. Despite a five-wicket haul from skipper Ayush Badoni, Punjab lost to Bengal by nine wickets.

Elite Group A Highlights

In Elite Group A, Madhya Pradesh's captain Shubham Sharma scored an unbeaten 106 off 200 balls, leading his team to a declaration at 249/6 in their second innings. J&K had previously bowled out MP for 196, with Rohit Sharma taking 5 wickets. MP gained a 76-run lead after dismissing J&K for 120, with Avesh Khan claiming three wickets. J&K struggled in their second innings, ending at 88/7.

Vidarbha, three-time Ranji champions, secured a 160-run victory over Puducherry. They posted 428 runs in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Akshay Wadkar (198) and Yash Rathod (134). Puducherry managed 313 runs in response, trailing by 115 runs. On the final day, Vidarbha declared at 175/3, setting a target of 291 runs. Puducherry was bowled out for 130, with Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade taking key wickets.

Elite Group B Insights

The match between Saurashtra and Chhattisgarh ended in a draw. Jadeja's century (102) and Prerak Mankad's 129 helped Saurashtra reach 392 runs in their first innings. Chhattisgarh responded with 312 runs, with Jadeja also excelling with the ball (3/40). Saurashtra batted through the final day, with Chirag Jani scoring 127*.

Punjab held Assam to a draw, with centurions Vihaan Malhotra, Salil Arora, and Emanjot Singh Chahal shining. Umesh Yadav took seven wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Assam scored 373 runs, with Denish Das and Sibsankar Roy both scoring centuries.

Elite Group C Summary

Bengal easily chased down a target of 89 runs after bowling out Delhi for 277 in their second innings. Delhi was attempting to overcome a first-innings deficit of 189 runs. Bengal's first innings featured centuries from Abishek Porel (149) and Sudip Kumar Gharami (133). Skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ankur Paul led the chase, completing it in just 15.3 overs.

Elite Group D Recap

Kanishk Chauhan, an under-19 star and RCB all-rounder, played a crucial role in Haryana's seven-wicket victory over Himachal Pradesh. After HP scored 253 runs in their first innings, Haryana responded with 296, with Kanishk contributing a quick 50. Despite a collapse in their second innings, Haryana managed to secure the win thanks to Himanshu Rana and Dheeru Singh.