Pujara retires hurt with a neck problem: The Indian top-order batsman retired hurt during a Ranji Trophy match.
Advertisement
During the first round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, playing for Saurashtra, India’s top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara retired hurt due to a ‘stiff neck’ on the first day of their match against Chattisgarh at Rajkot.
It is believed that Pujara had complained of the problem in the morning only when he was batting with an open stance. Despite that, he walked in to bat at hi usual position of No. 3.
After being put in to bat at captain of Chattisgarh Harpreet Singh, Pujara came in to bat in the 48th over when Harvik Desai was dismissed for 78 (152). Before retiring, Pujara had scored 30 runs off 64 balls inclusive of three fours.
Former Saurashtra captain and current coach Shitanshu Kotak had confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that there was ‘nothing to worry’ with respect to the 30-year old Pujara. “He will be ready to bat on Friday, if required,” Kotak was quoted.
Kotak’s statement must have come as a relief for the Indian team management for Pujara is an integral part of the Test team that will travel to Australia for a four-match series starting next month.
In the 12 Test matches that Pujara has played against Australia, he has scored 1,101 runs at an average of 55.05 and a strike rate of 48.22, including two centuries and six half-centuries.
In three Test matches that Pujara has played in Australia, he has scored 201 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 42.67. On the back of mediocre numbers in these three matches, Pujara was dropped for the fourth Test of India’s tour of Australia in 2014-15.
Pujara would be looking to make amends in Australia this time round.
Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on Ranji Trophy below:
