Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha to play Ranji Trophy final
Indian top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will feature in the upcoming Ranji Trophy final for his state team Saurashtra. Interestingly, the Bengal side will also be bolstered with wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha's presence in the final. However, participation of Ravindra Jadeja is still in doubt. Saurashtra defeated Gujarat by 92 runs in the semi-final, while Bengal clinched the other semi-final, beating Karnataka. Here is more.
Pujara was India's second highest run-scorer in the Test series
New Zealand outclassed India 2-0 in the recently concluded Test series. Pujara could manage 100 runs in four innings at an average of 25, but scored a crucial 140-ball 54 in the Christchurch Test for India. The 32-year-old was the second-highest run-scorer for India in the series. Meanwhile, Wriddhiman Saha, who was benched in the entire Test series, will also have get game time.
Pujara will be back in the mix: Unadkat
"Cheteshwar will be back for sure, Ravindra I am not sure. We 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." Unadkat said after Saurashtra's victory.
Bengal could script history this season
Bengal defeated Karnataka by 174 runs at the Eden Gardens to enter their first Ranji final in 13 years. They won their previous Ranji Trophy title in Sourav Ganguly's debut season back in 1989-90. Pacer Mukesh Kumar was the chief architect of Bengal's victory as he snapped up a career-best six-wicket haul. Bengal will take on Saurashtra in the final on March 9.
Unadkat's 10/142 propelled Saurashtra to victory over Gujarat
Jaydev Unadkat entered the record books when he steered Saurashtra to victory in their semi-final clash on Wednesday. Having scalped 65 wickets, the left-arm seamer overtook Karnataka's Dodda Ganesh who had taken 62 wickets in the 1998-99 season of the prestigious domestic tournament. Although Saurashtra lost last year's final to Vidarbha by 78 runs, they will look lift the title this time around.
