Senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has taken a big decision after being dropped from the Indian team from the Sri Lanka series. The Indian batsman has decided to play for Sussex in the upcoming English county season. He will replace Travis Head of Australia in this team. Sussex Cricket Club gave this information on Twitter.
The club said on Thursday that Pujara will play both first-class and List A matches for Sussex. Cheteshwar Pujara, who has played 95 Tests for India, has been ruled out due to poor form. He has previously played in the English County Championship for Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
“Travis Head has requested his withdrawal from the contract due to increased international engagements and the birth of his first child, which has been accepted by the club,” the club said in a statement. Cheteshwar Pujara will be seen playing in his place in the 2022 season. Pujara will come before the first match and will be there till the end of RL50 (National One Day Championship).
Pujara said in a statement, “I am excited and proud to play for the historic Sussex Cricket Club for the upcoming season. I will soon join the team and be a part of the club’s historic era. I have enjoyed playing cricket here (London County) over the years as well and look forward to taking my new journey forward in the times to come.”
The English county season starts on 7 April and Sussex’s first match is against Derbyshire on 14 April. This session will continue till September. Significantly, Pujara is not in the Indian team playing the Test series against Sri Lanka. His home team Saurashtra also could not make it to the knockout stage of Ranji Trophy and was not bought by any team in the IPL. This means that he is empty throughout the season.