The veteran Indian Test batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan made their respective debuts for Sussex in the County Championships (Division 2) on Thursday. Sussex is locking horns with Derbyshire in its second game of the tournament.
To note, Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara will play the County Championship and Royal London One-Day tournament for most of the season. However, Pakistani batter Mohammad Rizwan will be available for County Championship and T20 cricket until mid-July, due to his national team commitments.
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Ahead of the scheduled start, Sussex posted a picture of their two international stalwarts from India and Pakistan, as they posed for a picture after receiving their debut caps. Posting the picture of Cheteshwar Pujara and Mohammad Rizwan, Sussex tweeted, “Debut day for these two.”
Debut day for these two. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/mT6rerYMRu
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 14, 2022
This is Pujara’s fifth stint in the County Championships, having earlier represented Derbyshire, Yorkshire (twice), and Nottinghamshire. On the other hand, Rizwan is playing in his first County season. Sussex Head Coach Ian Salisbury has expressed his happiness to see the talented duo playing for the county side. The coach also said that it will bring a huge boost for their County team in the ongoing championship.
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Ahead of the game, Salisbury said, “I am extremely excited to be able to bring in players of Rizwan and Pujara’s quality into the side. Not only are they absolute world-class cricketers that will boost our performances on the pitch, but to have them around the boys and in the dressing room can only be a positive.”
As Sussex posted the picture, the fans from both India and Pakistan reacted:
https://twitter.com/AzalPrishna/status/1514546009371779072?s=20&t=Ly8BIg6WJA7TyJpMFlEewA
One is Rock-Solid Test Batter, Other is Newage Modern batter. fascinating to watch @iMRizwanPak @cheteshwar1 @SussexCCC https://t.co/DalJsfNGh9
— shehroz (@shehroz316) April 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/HuzaifaAftab6/status/1514554865745227777?s=20&t=uIrmKU4PIhi2QEIAgR-xrw
Chezwan! 🔥 https://t.co/oSl5Bcn3Gp
— Udit (@udit_buch) April 14, 2022
Things we love to see ❤️💫#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/o4aDrx4Kl0 https://t.co/hNyDZRpwMM
— Dr. Sadiah Saeed 🩺 (@sadiah_saeed) April 14, 2022
