A controversy sparked during the semifinal of Ranji Trophy between Karnataka and Saurashtra when veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t walk off the pitch after edging the ball to wicket-keeper. Everyone called it against the spirit of the game and bashed India’s number 3 batsman on social media.
Meanwhile, Saurashtra skipper Jayadev Unadkat came in defense of Pujara and advocated for DRS in the domestic circuit to make the game even fair, which can help in avoiding the umpiring blinders.
Watch – Unadkat’s sensational spell to start Ranji Trophy semifinal
Pujara got two lucky reprieves in either innings when umpire failed to spot an edge and give the decision against Karnataka. In the first essay, he was batting on 1 during his 45-run knock while the second innings mistake turned much costly for the bowling team as Saurashtra number 4 scored an unbeaten century to take his team through the finals.
“I think anyone can have a tough game. The ball was moving a lot. It was deviating from the wicket. It has been neutral for sure if I have to say on that aspect. It doesn’t really matter. It could have been anyone else. They thought it was out, we thought it was not out,” said Unadkat.
“There were a couple of other decisions [Mayank Agarwal had survived a close call off Chetan Sakariya in the second innings] which went against us. We didn’t really take that into our mind, which they did. I don’t want to take any credit away from how we fought after being 23/3.”
He feels technology can make it equal for all the sides and quoted “It is good for the game. We have seen how DRS has helped teams with decisions in the international level. BCCI will be the best judge to look at it.”
Also Read: Saurashtra chased highest score in the history of Ranji Trophy
Saurashtra was on the brink of defeat against Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-final of Ranji Trophy when a mountainous target of 372 was standing in front of them. But Saurashtra batsmen showed some grit and determination to climb that mountain and came out victorious by chasing the highest target in the history of Ranji Trophy. Now, they will play against Vidarbha in the final, which will commence from February 3 in Nagpur.
