Cheteshwar Pujara available to play Ranji Trophy 2025-26 for Saurashtra: Report

Senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara has confirmed his interest in featuring in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, which begins in October. The 37-year-old will return to competitive action for the first time since last season’s Ranji Trophy, which concluded in February.

According to Cricbuzz, the Saurashtra Cricket Association confirmed that Pujara has expressed his intention to take part in the tournament. A senior SCA official welcomed the decision, adding that Pujara’s experience would be invaluable to the team.

Pujara’s confirmation came only hours after another veteran batter, Ajinkya Rahane, stepped down from the captaincy of Mumbai. Rahane, who led the team in the previous season, relinquished the role, saying it was the right time for the former champions to groom their next leader. The former India Test captain, however, stressed that he remains fully committed to playing the domestic season across all formats.

Both Pujara and Rahane have been out of contention for a place in the Test side. While Pujara last represented India in the World Test Championship final in June 2023, Rahane’s last appearance came during the Test series in the West Indies in July 2023.

In January 2024, then Test captain Rohit Sharma hinted that the team management had moved on from the veteran duo in order to usher in a new crop of young talent, including Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel.

Even after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from Tests midway through the IPL, India did not recall their experienced campaigners. Instead, they brought in Sai Sudharsan to occupy the No. 3 spot and handed Karun Nair a comeback.

Speaking to India Today earlier this year, Pujara said that he has not given up hope of representing India again and would continue to prepare himself for an opportunity.

“Yes, absolutely. As long as I am playing cricket, it does not matter at what level. I love the game, and I am working hard to maintain my rhythm, fitness and connection with the sport. So whenever the opportunity arises—whether at the domestic level or the highest level—I will be ready,” he said.

Pujara, however, did not participate in the County Championship this year, instead opting for a commentary stint during India’s tour of England.

In the last Ranji Trophy season, Pujara scored 402 runs in seven matches at an average of 40. Overall, he has amassed 7,195 runs in 103 Tests for the senior national side.