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ToggleIndia’s prime Test batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara, could not continue batting due to illness on Day 1 of the ongoing final of the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 between hosts Saurashtra and visiting Bengal. Pujara joined his state team Saurashtra for the Ranji Trophy final against Bengal.
Pujara recently had a poor outing against New Zealand away from home. His loss of form was one of the main reasons behind India’s humiliating loss against the Kiwis.
Pujara had a very poor series by his standards when he took to the field against the Black Caps in the two-match Test series. In the first innings of the first Test match, Pujara could only manage to score 11 runs. The second innings was no different as he again managed to score only 11 runs.
However, he seemed to gain his form in the second Test as he scored a gritty half-century in the first innings. But all such hopes were diminished as he walked back to the pavilion scoring only 24 runs in the second innings of the second Test match.
Cheteshwar Pujara Goes Retired Hurt In Ranji Trophy Final:
Pujara pushed himself down to No.6 from his usual No.3 position after Saurashtra elected to bat first. The Jaydev Unadkat-led side were 182/4 when Pujara walked out to bat and was looking solid on five from 24 balls.
But as his stay at the crease progressed, the 32-year-old looked uneasy and under the weather before eventually failing to continue out in the middle.
Just back from New Zealand where India lost the Test series 2-0, Pujara walked back to the dressing room looking dazed.
It was a blow for the home team who were struggling after the in-form Bengal pacers came back to take four wickets in the second and third session to blunt Saurashtra’s good start.
Saurashtra Start Strong But Bengal Bounces Back:
Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy final between Bengal and Saurashtra proved to be an exciting battle as both the teams had their moments in the game.
Saurashtra started on a high as the openers stitched an 82-run partnership for the first wicket.
However, Bengal bounced back after the first wicket and kept on picking wickets at regular intervals during the day. Saurashtra posted 206 for five at stumps on Day 1.
The second day is bound to carry some more exciting contest between the two teams as they set their eyes on the prize in the premier domestic competition.