Delhi vs Gujarat, Elite Group C, Ranji Trophy Elite 2026-27

Delhi vs Gujarat Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Preview: Elite Group C Clash at Palam B Stadium

Match Overview

Delhi and Gujarat are set to lock horns in a crucial Elite Group C fixture of the 92nd Ranji Trophy season, scheduled for October 18-21, 2026, at the Palam B Stadium in Delhi. As the home team, Delhi will look to leverage the support of their home crowd as they face a competitive Gujarat side in the opening phase of the tournament, which runs from October 11 to November 5.

This early-season encounter forms part of the first window of the Elite Division, with Delhi chasing a strong start to build momentum ahead of the knockout rounds that begin on February 9, 2027. The final is slated for March 3, 2027.

Team Squads

Delhi Cricket Team

Led by captain Ayush Badoni, Delhi have assembled a strong squad featuring vice-captain Yash Dhull and wicketkeepers Anuj Rawat and Pranav Rajvanshi. The batting lineup boasts all-round depth with Sanat Sangwan, Ayush Doseja, Dev Lakra, and Hritik Shokeen, while the bowling attack is spearheaded by experienced campaigners Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, and Pranav Rajvanshi. The squad also includes Divij Mehra, Money Grewal, Sarthak Ranjan, Tejasvi, Dhruv Kaushik, and Sumit Mathur, offering a balanced mix of pace and spin options.

Gujarat Cricket Team

Gujarat, captained by Urvil Patel, bring a well-rounded squad to Delhi. The team features Arzan Nagwaswalla, Harshal Patel, and Chintan Gaja in their ranks, with a blend of pace bowling and all-round capability. Vishal Jayswal, Manan Hingrajia, Amit Desai, Kshitih Patel, Aarya Desai, Priyajitsing, Siddharth Desai, Vedant Trivedi, Jaymeet Patel, Sara Prajapati, Priyesh Patel, Abhishek Desai, and Urvil Patel form the core of the batting order, providing the side with depth and flexibility across the pitch.

Venue and Conditions

The match will be played at the Palam B Stadium, Delhi, where the home team will have the advantage of familiar conditions. Delhi have previously featured at both Palam A Stadium and Palam B Stadium, making them well-acquainted with the local wickets. The opening Group C fixture for Delhi was hosted at Palam A Stadium against Services on October 11-14, setting the tone for a home-heavy campaign for the capital side.

Tournament Context

The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy marks the 92nd edition of India's premier domestic first-class competition, with 38 teams competing across the Elite and Plate divisions. The Elite competition features 32 teams split into four groups of eight, while six teams contest the Plate division.

Delhi sit in Elite Group C alongside Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha, Maharashtra, Services, and Jharkhand. The group stage will see teams battle for position in the opening phase through November 5, before a mid-season break resumes play from January 17 to February 4, 2027.

Delhi's Group C fixtures for this season include:

• Oct 11-14, 2026: vs Services (Palam A Stadium, Delhi)
• Oct 18-21, 2026: vs Gujarat (Palam B Stadium, Delhi)
• Nov 2-5, 2026: vs Services (TBC)
• Oct 26-29, 2026: vs Jharkhand (away at JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi)
• Jan 17-20, 2027: vs Odisha (away)
• Feb 14, 2027: vs Maharashtra (Palam A Stadium, Delhi)

Where To Watch

Live streaming of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 matches will be available on the JioHotstar app and website, with live telecast on Star Sports TV channels in India.

What To Expect

With Delhi fielding a squad that balances experience and youth, the home side will aim to capitalise on their home advantage against a Gujarat team equipped with potent pace options. The contest between Ayush Badoni's batting-led Delhi and Urvil Patel's bowling-heavy Gujarat promises to be an intriguing Group C opener as both teams set their sights on a strong run towards the February 2027 knockouts.