Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Coach Claims Karnataka's False Appeals, Defends Cheteshwar Pujara

It was a bitter-sweet experience for Cheteshwar Pujara in the Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka. He produced another marathon knock for his state but unfortunately, received flak from the Bangalore crowd. The videos show that Cheteshwar Pujara hesitated to walk despite edging the delivery to the keeper. Meanwhile, his coach defends his player and lashes out at Karnataka players for false appeals.

The Ranji Trophy 2018-19 semi-final encounter between Saurashtra and Karnataka saw a fair bit of controversy as on two occasions game-changer Cheteshwar Pujara got lucky and survived despite having clearly nicked it to the wicket-keeper on both occasions.

Pujara’s unbeaten 131 in the second innings powered his team to a 5-wicket win over Karnataka as Saurashtra to their third Ranji Trophy final. In the first, the former left-arm spinner from Goa ruled in Pujara’s favour despite Abhimanyu Mithun catching the batsman’s right glove before the ball landed in wicketkeeper gloves.

https://twitter.com/NaaginDance/status/1089430447921209344

It is unfair – Sitanshu Kotak

Meanwhile, Saurashtra Coach, Sitanshu Kotak feels that it makes no sense as things like those are part and parcel of the game. Kotak added that every player would experience such kind of scenarios, who would make use for the sake of the team.

“I don’t think it makes any sense [to criticise Pujara]. In my career, I would have got 20 to 30 ridiculously bad decisions and never has anyone called me back because the opposition was so happy that Kotak was out. Pujara is a far better player than me,” he quoted.

”If somebody calls you back when you are not out, then you are allowed to walk against them. Honestly, you feel you should walk, but it is unfair to the team because when he is actually not out and still given out, nobody calls you back,” Kotak told mid-day from Bangalore.

Why would they falsely appeal? – Kotak

Further, he cited that their opening batsman was given out despite the ball hasn’t edged the willow. But, the stern appeal from Karnataka has made umpire adjudge it out. He feels that Karnataka players would have called back the batsman if they play the game fair.

“Karnataka can cry. But when they got Prerak Mankad out [on 0 in the first innings], caught behind by appealing wrongly even as the ball was relatively far away from the bat, why didn’t they recall Prerak? They got Prerak wrongly out and were happy with it. If they had sporting spirit, why would they falsely appeal? At least we didn’t make any false appeal,” he inferred.

However, it seems like the controversy might stay for a bit of time in the headlines unless BCCI intervenes and express their voice out. Most probably, the domestic cricket might get DRS options in the near future.