Cheteshwar Pujara set to play County Championship and One-Day Cup
Indian top-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara is set to feature in the impending season of the County Championship and the One-Day Cup in the UK. County club Sussex has roped in the 34-year-old as an overseas batter. Pujara has been signed as a replacement for Australian all-rounder Travis Head, who withdrew due to international commitments. The former recently lost his spot in India's Test side.
Why does this story matter?
Pujara had been India's mainstay top-order batter (Tests). He held the number three spot after Rahul Dravid's retirement. However, Pujara hasn't scored a Test ton in over three years. The senior batter was dropped for the Sri Lanka Test series at home. He also went unsold in the IPL 2022 Auction. Pujara will now ply his trade in the County Championship and One-Day Cup.
Honored to be a part of Sussex County Club: Pujara
"I am excited and honored to be a part of the historic Sussex County Cricket Club for the upcoming season," Pujara said. "I look forward to joining the Sussex family soon and be a part of its rich cricketing history. Over the years I have always enjoyed my time in the UK playing county cricket, so eagerly looking forward to the new stint."
Pujara could play Sussex's first game of the season
Pujara went unsold in the IPL 2022 Auction. He was signed by Chennai Super Kings for the 2021 edition but didn't get a game. The Indian batter is now free to link up with Sussex in time for their first game of the upcoming County Championship season (against Nottinghamshire, starting April 7). Pujara will also feature in the One-Day Cup (50-over domestic competition).
Pujara's fourth stint in County Championship
This is not the first time Pujara will take part in the County Championship. He has earlier represented Nottinghamshire (2017), Yorkshire (2015 and 2018), and Derbyshire (2014). Pujara also signed a deal with Gloucestershire in 2020 but couldn't play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pujara last scored a Test ton in January 2019
Pujara last slammed a Test century (193) in the SCG Test in January 2019. The right-handed batter has scored 1,287 runs from 48 innings at an average of 27.38 ever since. As per ESPNcricinfo, Pujara's Test average plunged from nearly 47 to 44.25 in this period. He was recently demoted from Grade A+ to Grade B in the BCCI's central contracts list (2021/22).
A look at Pujara's career numbers
Pujara, who made his international debut in 2010, has amassed 6,713 runs from 95 Tests at an average of 43.87. He has slammed 18 tons and 32 fifties so far. Pujara also has three double-tons in Test cricket. He has an average record in County Cricket, having scored 988 runs from 36 innings at 29.93. The tally includes three hundreds and as many fifties.
