New Delhi: Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has made a name for himself in Test cricket. But despite being one of the best batsmen in the longest format for several years now, Pujara has always expressed a desire to be a part of the Indian Premier League.
The hero of India’s Test series is returning to the IPL after a 6-year-break. Last time the 33-year-old played in the IPL was in 2014 for Kings XI Punjab. Cheteshwar Pujara has not played the IPL since 2014 after having represented Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Pujara has played 30 IPL matches and has scored 390 runs.
“I’m really glad to be part of the IPL. It’s good to be back again, and I would like to thank CSK for taking me. When I am talking about county cricket, I will still have enough time before we play the England Test series,” Pujara said during a virtual media conference.” Once IPL gets over, there will be a window for me to play county games. That call I will take once IPL gets over. There will be enough time to play some county games. We also have a couple of practice games in England once the Test series begins there.”
Pujara is arguably one of the biggest match-winners for India in Tests but the senior batsman has not been hasn’t made it big in the shorter formats of the game.
The three-time champion Chennai Super Kings bought Pujara at his base price of Rs 50 lakh in the Indian Premier League auction in Chennai held two days back. “There is plenty of time to play county cricket but it is good to be back in the IPL. You know, I always want to play the short format of the game, IPL has produced so many great cricketers, some young talent we have got through the IPL, it has helped the Indian team.
Asked whether he discussed this with CSK, Pujara said: “Nothing on that part. But I always wanted to play the shorter format of the game. So my focus once this Test series gets over will be on the IPL and once IPL gets over, I will think about county games and then there is a big series coming up against England. I am very hopeful that we will play the World Test Championship final as well which is in June,” he signed off.
