Sussex have signed out-of-favour India batter Cheteshwar Pujara for the upcoming English county season. Pujara will replace Australia’s middle-order batsman Travis Head in the squad. (More Cricket News)
Right-handed batsman Pujara is not included in the national team’s ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka following a rough patch of form. Meanwhile, his domestic team Saurashtra has not qualified for the knock-outs of Ranji Trophy and these ♊all make him free for the entire summer.
The brea🅰k from Ind♏ian cricket will see Pujara compete in both first-class and List A games for Sussex. It is worth noting that Pujara has also represented Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire in the English County Championship.
"Following a request by Travis to be released from his contract due to increased interna𝓡tional commitments along with the news that he and his partner a🦄re expecting their first child, the club have agreed to this and replaced him with Cheteshwar Pujara for the majority of the 2022 season," the club released a statement.
"Pujara w๊ill arrive in time for the first Championship match of the season and remain until at least the end of the RL50 comp🐷etition (national one-day championship)."
While the English county season kicks off on April 7, Sussex 𝕴start their campaign on April 14 against Derbyshire. The season continues till September across formats.
"I am excited and honoured to be a part of the historic Sussex County Cricket Club for the upcoming season. I do look forward to joining up with the Sussex family soon and be a part of its rich cricketing history,” said Pujara after signing with Sus💧sex.
"Over the years I have always enjoyed my time in the UK playing county cricket, so eagerly looking forward to the new stint and hop꧃e to contribute to the club’s success."
Meanwhile, Sussex also welcomed Pujara and revealed that they hope the player to also help younger top-order batsmen, alongside cont🎀ributing with the bat for the club.
On the other hand, explaining his decision to leave, Head said, "I would like to stress that it's important for me to support Jessica over the Aus🦹tralian winter while balancing a busy international schedule.
"It comes with d꧋isappointm🐠ent during a very exciting period for me personally that I won't be returning this season, I've built some great relationships and was very excited for it.
&💟quot;I'm ꦫhopeful I can still have an impact at the club in the future and I will be watching the season very closely. I wish everyone all the best and thank you for the support."
A new captain will be announced in due course, prior to the start of tꦕhe season.
(With PTI Inputs)
