Ranji Trophy 2026: Jalaj Saxena’s 5-wicket haul powers Kerala to innings win, Mumbai register second bonus-point victory
Jalaj Saxena's 5-wicket haul leads Kerala to victory, while Mumbai and Delhi secure crucial wins in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27.
The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 action intensified on Wednesday as Kerala rode on a stellar bowling performance by Jalaj Saxena to crush Odisha, while Mumbai continued their dominant streak with another bonus-point victory. The day saw a flurry of results across different groups, with Delhi bouncing back from an early slump and Punjab securing a comfortable win.
Jalaj Saxena Destroys Odisha; Kerala Climb Standings
In a high-stakes Elite Group C clash in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala secured a comprehensive innings-and-36-run victory over Odisha. The star of the show was Jalaj Saxena, whose lethal spell of 5/34 in 18 overs dismantled the Odisha batting lineup.
Odisha, having been asked to follow on, began their second innings at 102/4. However, they collapsed spectacularly, losing their final six wickets for a mere 41 runs to be bundled out for 143. This collapse ensured Kerala wrapped up the game during the second session of the final day.
The foundation for this win was laid in the first innings when Kerala posted a massive 404, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 139 by Mohammed Azharuddeen, who was rightfully named Player of the Match. Odisha had managed 225 in their first outing, conceding a lead of 179 runs.
With this victory, Kerala has surged to third place in the standings, trailing only Maharashtra and Bengal.
Mumbai’s Dominance Continues
Mumbai maintained their winning momentum in Elite Group D, recording their second consecutive bonus-point win. Facing Himachal Pradesh in Bilaspur, Mumbai proved too strong, winning by an innings and 97 runs.
Mumbai's batting powerhouse declared their first innings at 528/8, fueled by centuries from Sarfaraz Khan (154) and Akash Anand (117). The Himachal Pradesh batting order crumbled under pressure, scoring only 140 in the first innings and 291 in the second, failing to bridge the massive 388-run first-innings deficit.
Delhi Bounces Back with Massive Totals
After a disappointing start to the tournament against Bengal, Delhi found their rhythm against Gujarat at the Palam B Ground. Although the match ended in a draw, Delhi secured three vital points by claiming a commanding first-innings lead.
Delhi’s batting was nothing short of explosive, posting 648/6 declared. Captain Ayush Badoni led from the front with a mammoth 217, while Priyansh Arya earned the Player of the Match award for his 199 off 221 balls.
Gujarat fought hard, with Manan Hingrajia scoring 123 and captain Chintan Gaja adding 82, but they were eventually bowled out for 479. Delhi spinner Hrithik Shokeen was the pick of the bowlers with 5/143. Delhi now sits in sixth place in the eight-team standings.
Other Key Results
Punjab Outclasses Chhattisgarh
In Group B, Punjab secured a seven-wicket win over Chhattisgarh in Mullanpur. After scoring 456 and bowling out Chhattisgarh for 206, Punjab enforced the follow-on. Despite a spirited second-innings fightback from the visitors (335 runs), Punjab chased down the target of 86 in just 16.5 overs. Spinners Harjas Singh and Emanjot Singh Chahal were instrumental, taking three wickets each.
Saurashtra Edges Karnataka
Saurashtra continued their consistent run by earning three points against Karnataka in Alur. By securing a narrow first-innings lead, Saurashtra marked their second consecutive match with a three-point haul.