Had I been picked by an IPL team, I wouldn’t have got any games: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara was named in the Indian squad for the rescheduled fifth Test against England after some impressive outings in the County Championship 2022. The right-hander has notched up 720 runs for Sussex in the five Division Two games which includes four centuries at an average of 120. The veteran batter will now be looking to seal his spot in the side again after missing out on the squad for the previous home series against Sri Lanka.

The BCCI did offer him and Ajinkya Rahane a central contract despite their poor returns in the last two years for India a few weeks back and conveyed to them about the doors being still open. Pujara did not find any buyers in the IPL 2022 mega auction and his decision to play County cricket proved to be a blessing in disguise as he was back with his supreme touch.

I said yes to the county because I wanted my old rhythm back: Cheteshwar Pujara

After returning to the Indian side, Pujara shared that he would not have had game time even if he had been picked in the IPL 2022 auction and felt that his county stint has provided him with his old rhythm. He added that he was optimistic about making a return to the Indian side and revealed how his confidence soared once he started playing County cricket. He added that he was always just one big inning away from getting things back in place.

“You can say that now in hindsight. Had I been picked by an IPL team, there were major chances that I wouldn’t have got any games. I would have just gone (to nets) and practised. Getting match practice and practice in the nets is always different. So when the county thing happened, I just said yes. The major reason I said yes to the county (stint) is that I wanted my old rhythm back,” Pujara told The Indian Express from Paris, where he is on holiday.

“I was positive, there was no doubt about it. The way my county stint went, I was hopeful that I will make a comeback to the Indian team. But when I went to play county cricket, the India comeback was never on my mind; I just wanted to find my rhythm and I knew one big innings would help me find my rhythm back.” he added.