Punjab and Saurashtra clashed in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium’s C ground in Rajkot on January 22, 2026. All eyes were on the Indian stars as Shubman Gill captained Punjab in this match and Ravindra Jadeja turned out for Saurashtra.

Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat had won the toss and chose to bat first. Jay Gohil starred with the bat, scoring 82, while Prerak Mankad made 32 runs, but Harpreet Brar’s 6/38 meant that Saurashtra was bowled out for 172 runs.

Punjab would have expected to take a big lead, but losing opener Harnoor Singh for a duck and a 50-run stand between Prabhsimran Singh (44) and Uday Saharan (23) kept them going. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja removed both the batters, while Shubman Gill fell to Parth Bhut for a two-ball duck as Punjab slid further.

Manan, the young son of Saurashtra batter Arpit Vasavada, excitedly exclaimed "first-ball wicket" as he stepped in. That delivery was safely navigated, but Bhut's following one slid on marginally, stayed low, beat Gill's forward defensive prod, and hit him on the pad. Saurashtra appealed in unison, and umpire Vinod Seshan raised his finger.

Gill stayed motionless for a moment, clearly astonished. The ball appeared to have grazed the inside edge before hitting the pad, but there was no TV coverage and no DRS, so the verdict stood. His long stroll back to the pavilion was distinguished by restraint, not outcry.

See here:  

Punjab fared poorly and was bowled out for 139 runs, as Parth Bhut took 5/33. Saurashtra, in their second innings, made 24/3 at the end of day one.