Manish Pandey sledges Cheteshwar Pujara: Karnataka captain was heard as passing remarks to the Saurashtra batsman.
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During the second semi final of the ongoing Ranji Trophy between Karnataka and Saurashtra at Bengaluru, Karnataka captain Manish Pandey and wicket-keeper batsman Srinivas Sharath were heard as passing remarks to Saurashtra middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara.
It all happened during the 47th over of Saurashtra’s innings when the 31-year old batsman was preparing to face Karnataka all-rounder Shreyas Gopal. “One lazy step-out and we have him boys,” Pandey was heard as saying from his fielding position at first slip.
While Pandey hinted at his team getting the wicket if the batsman steps out, Sharath was of the opinion that wickets will fall in cluster. “That time of the day where wickets are going to fall in cluster boys. One good ball and we have him here,” Sharath said.
To both of them dislike, leg-spinner Gopal started the over with a rank short delivery which Pujara was quick to capitalise on. Using the depth of the crease, the right-hand went on his back-foot to play the pull shot over deep square leg for a six.
ALSO READ: Cheteshwar Pujara refuses to walk after edging the ball to the wicket-keeper.
While Karnataka’s attempt to distort Pujara’s focus went unsuccessful in this over, the batting stalwart was eventually dismissing by fast bowler Abhimanyu Mithun in the 55th over. On his birthday, Pujara ended up scoring 45 (99) with the help of three fours and a six.
The visitors ended Day 2 at 227-7 in 66.3 overs. Having scored 85 (131) with the help of 15 fours, wicket-keeper batsman Snell Patel was the pick of the batsmen for Saurashtra.
Earlier in the morning, Saurashtra bowled out the hosts on 275 in 100.3 overs. All-rounder Shreyas Gopal, who came in to bat at No. 6, top-scored for his team scoring 87 (182) with the help of nine fours and a six. Other than him, Sharath (83*) and Pandey (62) also chipped in with individual half-centuries.
With bowling figures of 21-6-56-4, pacer Jaydev Unadkat was the highest wicket-taker for Saurashtra in the first innings. Watch the full video of Pandey and Sharath going at Pujara:
