Ranji Trophy: Jaydev Unadkat bats for DRS post Pujara drama

Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat says the technology can improve the quality of decision-making in domestic matches that often come under the scanner for umpiring gaffes.

Published : Jan 28, 2019 15:09 IST , Bengaluru

Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat after the team's win in Bengaluru on Monday.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat after the team's win in Bengaluru on Monday.
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Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat after the team's win in Bengaluru on Monday.

Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat feels the inclusion of Decision Review System in domestic cricket can elevate the sport. The umpiring howlers in the Ranji Trophy semifinal have reopened the DRS debate.

India No. 3 and Saurashtra No. 4 Cheteshwar Pujara had two reprieves in two innings that turned the tide for the visitor at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

In the first innings, Pujara – batting on 1 – escaped an Abhimanyu Mithun kicker that deflected off his gloves to the wicketkeeper. He was eventually out for 45.

READ: Ton-up Pujara takes Saurashtra to final

But in the second innings, the edge off Vinay Kumar while batting on 34 alerted his inner perfectionist. The same umpire, Saiyed Khaled, stood unmoved and Pujara didn’t make any errors post the incident. He scored an unbeaten 131 to take Saurashtra home.

“I think anyone can have a tough game. The ball was moving a lot. It was deviating from the wicket. It has been neutral for sure if I have to say on that aspect. It doesn’t really matter. It could have been anyone else. They thought it was out, we thought it was not out.

“There were a couple of other decisions [Mayank Agarwal had survived a close call off Chetan Sakariya in the second innings] which went against us. We didn’t really take that into our mind, which they did. I don’t want to take any credit away from how we fought after being 23/3,” said Unadkat after the victory.

READ: Umpires and Pujara on top of Karnataka

Unadkat feels any technology can make it “equal” for all sides. “It is good for the game. We have seen how DRS has helped teams with decisions in the international level. BCCI will be the best judge to look at it,” he added.

Karnataka coach Yere Goud seconds the Saurashtra skipper.

“Definitely. If we can use DRS, nothing like it. We will have a fair game,” he said.

Pujara had invited a bit of criticism from fans and spectators for not walking despite the nick. But Goud understands that, “it is a tough call”.

“It is best left to the individuals. Generally they [batsmen] don’t walk as we have seen in domestic games.”

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