After seeking permission from the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) to play in counties, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is set to play for Derbyshire in the England domestic circuit.
The much-anticipated Indian batsman Pujara’s failure in the England Test series made the BCCI to accept the batsman’s long-awaited proposal to play in counties.
Pujara was expected to sign for Leicestershire but the Derbyshire’s quick progression with the Indian player left the Leicester, bottom of the 2nd division team in frustration.
Pujara who returned to India after commencement of the test series will join the Derby team for the late matches of the LV= County Championship.
The 26 year old Indian batsman already had some good times at the Derbyshire’s home ground as he scored 81 during one of the three day warm up games India played before the Test series against the team he will be playing for in England.
Overseas players in Derbyshire team Marcus North will be along with the One Day team and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be returning to home for the Home Test Series against Bangladesh which meant Pujara will be playing as an overseas player for Derbyshire for the last four games left for the season.
Elite performance Director of Derbyshire, Graeme Welch said talking on their new recruitment: “We’re an ambitious team and have an exciting group of players who are developing fast. Pujara joining us at this stage of the season is a real boost for the lads and the remaining Championship matches we have ahead of us will give him exactly the experience he is looking for.“
Graeme Welch is happy to have Pujara for the County Championship with International players Chanderpaul and Marcus North are busy with their respective campaigns.
“With Shiv now back in West Indies preparing for Test match action and Marcus North focusing on our one-day campaign, Pujara will bring an added dimension to the side as we look to finish our Championship season strongly.” said Welch.
Derbyshire team’s chief executive, Simon Storey also talked over Pujara’s signing: “We’ve been focused on delivering a long-term legacy from the visit of the Indian tourist side to Derby in July, including the creation of our Cricket Derbyshire India Club.“
“We hope the opportunity to see Pujara play county cricket for Derbyshire will inspire cricket followers across the City and the wider county and open up the Club to a new generation of fans.” said Simon Storey.
