Gloucestershire on Wednesday signed up India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara for the first six matches of the English County Championship which is all set to begin from April 12.
Pujara’s stint with the County will begin on April 12 and will continue till May 22.
“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,” Pujara was quoted as saying in a press release by the club.
The 32-year-old is one of the best Test batsmen in the world at present. His ability to bat for long periods wears the bowlers down. He has immense patience and a very strong temperament.
His experience will be very helpful for Gloucestershire which will be playing in Division One of the County Championship for the first time in over a decade.
“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,” Pujara said.
“I have really enjoyed the experience of coming over to the UK and playing county cricket over the last few years and I am looking forward to building on that whilst continuing to improve my game.”
Pujara has also played for Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire in the County Championship previously and hence, comes with a big reputation.
His average of 49.48 in Tests sums up the kind of consistency he has in this format.
Pujara has an even better first-class average of 53.99 with a highest score of 352.
“Cheteshwar is a player with 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,” Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said.
“Adding Pujara to a strong batting line-up gives me great confidence ahead of our opening County Championship matches,” he added.