WATCH: Cheteshwar Pujara survives in Ranji Trophy final due to nine-meter rule; erupts on-field debate

Cheteshwar Pujara survives in Ranji Trophy final: Saurashtra’s stalwart received a massive reprieve at his home ground.

During the second day of the final match of the ongoing 86th season of the Ranji Trophy between Saurashtra and Bengal in Rajkot, Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara received a major reprieve after he was declared not-out courtesy of a “nine-meter rule” in the Indian domestic cricket.

It all happened on the third delivery of the 98th over when Pujara’s attempt of stepping out against Bengal spinner Shahbaz Ahmed saw him getting hit on the front pad.

With umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan ruling the decision in the batsman’s favour after a huge appeal from the visitors, Ahmed insisted his captain to opt for limited DRS.

Replays confirmed that the ball had hit Pujara’s pad before hitting his bat. With the ball also hitting Pujara inside the line of the wickets, it made the bowler’s case all the more stronger. In the absence of ball tracker, impact of the ball remains the only thing to be observed.

Pujara, who had stepped out of his wicket, had crossed the nine-meter mark which is marked outside the pitch on either sides. Due to limited DRS, it is a rule in the Indian domestic cricket that a batsman won’t be declared out if he crosses the nine-feet mark.

With third umpire S Ravi giving the decision in Pujara’s favour, the unusual rule sparked an on-field debate between Bengali players and the on-field umpire.

Cheteshwar Pujara survives in Ranji Trophy final

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