Indian Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was yet again under the scanner during the Ranji Trophy semi-final between Saurashtra and Karnataka as he was adjudged not out by the on-field umpire after he had nicked a delivery straight to the wicketkeeper. This time, it was R Vinay Kumar who was the bowler. Kumar, the former Karnataka captain, was celebrating the wicket and his teammates also joined him but the on-field umpire did not raise his finger, leaving everyone surprised.
Kumar also exchanged some words with the umpire, clearly unhappy with the decision made by him. While Karnataka had no other option other than accepting umpire’s decision, the fans were not ready to accept it and they went on to call Pujara a ‘cheat’ when he was walking back to the dressing room.
The bungle made by the umpire cost Karnataka as Pujara and Sheldon Jackson have already shared 201 runs for the fourth wicket and Saurashtra are just 55 runs away from qualifying for the final of the tournament.
