Saurashtra Receive Cheteshwar Pujara Boost Ahead Of Ranji Trophy Final
Published - 05 Mar 2020, 09:32 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:04 AM
Saurashtra have received a big boost ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 final against Bengal with their star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara available for the all-important clash. The final will take place in Rajkot next week. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat confirmed the availability of Cheteshwar Pujara before stating that he was not sure about Ravindra Jadeja.
Saurashtra are gearing up for their fourth final in last eight seasons. They have lost all the three finals including the one against Vidarbha last year and will be desperate to lift the trophy at their home ground. They beat Gujarat by 92 runs in a thrilling semifinal to set up a mouth-watering clash with Bengal.
“Cheteshwar will be back for sure, Ravindra I am not sure,” Unadkat said after his side’s semifinal win. “We [Pujara and I] have been constantly in touch, he cares for the team as much as I do. Right now, he is in the flight back from New Zealand and I am sure he will be quite happy once he lands in Mumbai.
“Having Cheteshwar back will play on their [Bengal’s] mind as well. Whenever he is around, our batting unit plays differently, they have this confidence that there is someone of his calibre in our team. Plus, he does take some sort of pressure off me when there are situations like this,” he added.
Like Saurashtra, Bengal has also been boosted by the addition of India star Wriddhiman Saha. Bengal, who will be playing their 14th final, have not won the prestigious title since the 2006-07 season. Both Pujara and Saha are the Test specialists and won’t be required for India duty for the ODI series against South Africa starting March 12, where Jadeja is expected to play a part.
