On Wednesday, India’s dependable Test batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara inked a deal with Gloucestershire for the first six matches of the English County Championship starting April 12. In recent times, he has emerged as the most dependable batsman for the Indian Test team as he provides solidity to the batting line-up with his technique. His stint with Gloucestershire will be from April 12 to May 22.
Talking about the same in the press release issued by the club, Pujara said, “I am really excited to get the opportunity to represent Gloucestershire this season. The Club has a rich cricketing history, and this is a great opportunity to be a part of it and contribute to its success. I am grateful to the Club for giving me this opportunity and cannot wait to get to Bristol to meet my teammates and score some runs.”
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The club considered Pujara’s ability to play long innings and he will also bring a plethora of experience to the Gloucestershire side, which will be playing in Division One of the County Championship for the first time in over a decade.
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Pujara has previously played in England for Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire in the County Championship. He has an impressive batting average of 49.48 in Test cricket with 206 not out being his best score, which he made against England. He has an equally impressive first-class average of 53.99 with the highest score of 352 for Saurashtra against Karnataka.
Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said, “Cheteshwar is a player with a great temperament who will add international experience to the squad. He is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in world cricket and we are very fortunate to have him in our squad for the start of the County Championship campaign.”
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Pujara is the first Indian player to play for Gloucestershire since Javagal Srinath in 1995. Srinath took 87 wickets in the only season he represented the team. During his stint, Pujara will be available for the four-day games against Yorkshire, Lancashire, Kent, Somerset, Essex, and Surrey.
