Ready to re-enter the IPL bandwagon after seven years, Cheteshwar Pujara says competing in the T20 league won’t hamper his preparations for the away Test series against England since he will have plenty of County games to play before the Test assignment.
Unsold for seven seasons, Pujara was finally picked by MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings at his base price of Rs 50 lakh for this year IPL.
“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,” the India Test number three said here during a virtual media conference.
“Talking about county cricket, I will still have enough time before we play the England Test series,” Pujara, who has earlier played for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, said.
India will play five Tests against England later this year.
Pujara has a solid technique but due to his slow batting style he is not considered fit for the slam-bang format. But he is looking forward to make a mark in this format too.
“Once IPL gets over, there will be a window where I can play a few county games. That call I will take once IPL it gets over. But there will be enough time to play some County games. We also have a couple of practice games before the Test series begins in August.
“There’s plenty of time to play county cricket but it’s always good to be back in IPL.”
Asked whether he discussed this with CSK, Pujara said: “Nothing on that part... But I always wanted to play shorter format of the game.”
“So my focus once this (ongoing) Test series gets over will be on the IPL, and then once IPL gets over then I’ll think about county games and then there is a big series coming up against England in August...”