The second day's play of Bengal vs Saurashtra Ranji Trophy final on Tuesday at Rajkot witnessed umpire KN Ananthapadhmanabhan umpiring from both ends as the other umpire, C Shamshuddin couldn't take the field. (More Cricket News)
Shamshuddin, who was hit around the lower abdomen on Day 1, did not take the field on day two after the pain aggravated overnight. He went for a check-up in a local hospital on Tuesday morning.
With S Ravi as the designated umpire, Shamsuddin's on-field partner Padmanabhan was the only one officiating in the middle in the first session on day two as local umpire Piyush Khakar stood at square leg.
Post Lunch, Ravi joined Padmanabhan in the middle while Shamshuddin took the role of the TV umpire. Shamshuddin's replacement, Yashwant Barde, will join Padmanabhan on day three.
"Shamshuddin felt more pain in the night and went to the hospital in the morning for a check-up. He has been advised a week's rest," a Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) spokesperson told PTI.
Heavyweight Cheteshwar Pujara turned up with fever as Bengal nosed ahead against a scratchy Saurashtra in what was an attritional opening day's play in the Ranji Trophy final.
Avi Barot (54 off 142) and Vishvaraj Jadeja (54 off 92) struck gritty half-centuries before Bengal pacer Akash Deep struck late in the final session to leave Saurashtra at 206 for five at stumps on Monday.
Pacer Akash Deep, who was Bengal's standout bowler with three wickets, had Chetan Sakariya caught behind, bringing the end of day's play. With the pacers doing the bulk of the job, only 80.5 overs could be bowled.
An unwell Pujara walking off the field after scoring five off 24 balls put the home team in a spot of bother after Barot (54 off 142) and Jadeja (54 off 92) had played themselves in.
