Rajkot: Cheteshwar Pujara, a member of the Indian Test team, retired due to fever after playing just 24 balls for his home team Saurashtra against Bengal on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final. Pujara, who came back two days before the New Zealand tour, usually bats at number four for the home team, but due to a throat infection, he retired five runs off 24 balls.
Pujara scored four runs on the second ball of his innings, flicking to fast bowler Ishan Porel. He then scored just one run in 22 balls. He decided to leave the field in the 77th over of the innings.
Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat said, “He has a fever and an infection in his throat but he will recover by tomorrow (Tuesday).” Playing Saurashtra for the first time on their home ground, Saurashtra will be expecting a big innings from Pujara. The team scored 206 runs for five wickets till stumps on the first day.