ICC World Cup 2019: Both Teams Should Have Shared The Trophy - Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s number three Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara stated that both England and New Zealand should have shared the trophy. Pujara who is the bedrock of the Indian team in Test format believes it was a bit unfair on New Zealand as they lost on the boundary count. The match was tied as both teams scored the same number of runs. However, as per the rules, the team that hits more boundaries were adjudged as the winners.

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Meanwhile, New Zealand posted 241-8 runs after Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. England also posted the same score but they were bowled out. The hosts scored 15 runs in the Super Over as Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler were able to get their hits. But New Zealand also scored 15 runs and the Super Over was also tied like the match. Hence, to adjudge the winner on the number of boundaries was a bit controversial.

Pujara feels for the Kiwis.

“I felt there were no losers in the final. Both teams should have shared the trophy. But then it is up to ICC to decide, to come up with ideas. It has never ever happened in a World Cup final before, so I am not sure about the rules,” Pujara said on the sidelines of a sports conclave organised by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Furthermore, it is now known that the umpire Kumar Dharmasena goofed up the overthrow decision. It should have been five runs but Dharmasena signalled to add six runs to the England total.

“But it can be a bit unfair for New Zealand because they played so well but ultimately it was a great game of cricket and I am sure this game will be remembered for the time to come”

Meanwhile, India was knocked out of the World Cup in the semifinal by New Zealand. Cheteshwar Pujara is a regular part of the team in Test matches but he had failed to make the squad for the ODI side. Pujara said he is looking forward to future opportunities.

“It would have been nice to be a part of the Indian World Cup team but it is something in the past. I am looking forward to the future opportunities and hope to be part of West Indies and Test championship, the focus will be on that. Unfortunately, we lost in the semifinals but we will learn from it”.

New Zealand didn’t have the rub of the green on their side and it was a heartbreak for them as they lost the thrilling final. It just wasn’t to be for the Kiwis.

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