The ‘other’ Jadeja from Saurashtra is set to leave the state. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, no relation to Ravindra Jadeja but a left-arm spinner like the illustrious India all-rounder, has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA). He is expected to represent Chhattisgarh in the upcoming domestic season.
The 36-year-old left-arm spinner, with 100 first-class matches under his belt, has been one of the mainstays of Saurashtra cricket over the past 13 years. It is understood that discussions were held between the SCA, the team management and the player ahead of the upcoming domestic season, following which he was granted the NOC.
Apart from his 100 first-class appearances, Jadeja has also featured in 90 List A matches and 73 T20s. It is understood that the discussions primarily revolved around his role in the white-ball formats. While the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) and the team management were of the view that he should focus on red-ball cricket, the player was keen to continue in the white-ball set-up as well.
A member of Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy-winning squads in 2019-20 and 2022-23, Jadeja has claimed 423 wickets in 100 first-class matches. Since the 2017-18 season, no bowler has taken more wickets in Ranji Trophy than his 293. “We wish him the best,” said an SCA official.
Elsewhere, Lalit Yadav of Vidarbha and Ninad Rathva of Baroda will represent Odisha in the upcoming domestic season. Yadav, the 29-year-old off-spinning all-rounder, and Rathva, the 27-year-old all-rounder, have obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from their respective state associations — the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) and the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). An Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) official confirmed that both have been recruited as professionals for the forthcoming season.
Meanwhile, Rajneesh Gurbani has returned to his home state of Vidarbha after spending last season with Maharashtra, while Shashank Singh has moved from Chhattisgarh to Puducherry. The transfers have been confirmed by the respective state associations.
