Cheteshwar Pujara returns to Sussex for third county championship season

Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara will return to Sussex for the 2024 season as an overseas signing for a third season, the England cricket county announced on Wednesday.

New Delhi: India’s veteran right-handed batter Cheteshwar Pujara has re-signed with Sussex for the 2024 domestic cricket season in England, said the County club on Wednesday.

• Our overseas signings locked in for 2024. 🌍 🔒 #GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/gCeb8KXKDh

  — Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) December 13, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Our overseas signings locked in for 2024. 🌍 🔒 #GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/gCeb8KXKDh

  — Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) December 13, 2023

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  Our overseas signings locked in for 2024. 🌍 🔒 #GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/gCeb8KXKDh

  — Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) December 13, 2023

Pujara, who last played Tests for India in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June, will be linking up with Sussex for a third season running and will be available for the side’s first seven County Championship games. In his 18 County Championship appearances for Sussex, Pujara has accumulated an astonishing 1863 runs at an average of 64.24, including eight centuries and three half-centuries.

"I have enjoyed my time at Hove the last couple of seasons and couldn’t be more delighted to be back again with the Sussex family. I am looking forward to joining the team and contributing to its success," said Pujara in a statement.

His highest score for Sussex came against Derbyshire in 2022 when he made 231 when he shared a stand of 351 with Tom Haines, who also chalked up a double century. In 2023, his highest score of 151 came against Gloucestershire, a knock that included 20 fours and two sixes.

“I am delighted that Cheteshwar is returning to Hove again for the first two months of the season. He is not just a high-quality player but is also a high-quality person. His experience and calmness in matches is a fantastic asset for our team,” said Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace.

Apart from Pujara, the Australia duo of Daniel Hughes and Nathan McAndrew and West Indies fast-bowler Jayden Seales will be the other overseas signings for Sussex in the 2024 season.

“We are all very pleased to welcome Dan to Hove, he is a top-class player and has vast amounts of experience. We are all very much looking forward to working with him and enjoying how he helps our team on and off the field,” added Farbrace.