Cheteshwar Pujara Starts Off County Stint in a Disappointing Fashion

Indian Test team’s batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara has made an inauspicious start on the English shores. Not a part of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) extravaganza in the country, Pujara is plying his trade for premium county cricket club Yorkshire in the United Kingdom (UK).

However, his stint went off to a poor start. The right-handed batsman Pujara was one of the several  Yorkshire batsmen who failed to deliver against Somerset.

The right-handed batsman Pujara could score only seven as Yorkshire were bundled up for a paltry total of 96.

In reply to Somerset’s 216, Yorkshire kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

The Gary Ballance-led side started their reply on the worst possible note, losing a wicket without a run on the board as George Bartlett ran out Adam Lyth at non-striker’s end.

Lewis Gregory then claimed Cheteshwar Pujara lbw as Yorkshire reached 31 for two by tea.

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After the break, wickets continued to tumble. At 64 for eight, the visitors were in danger of follow-on, before Tim Bresnan hit Gregory to the boundary.

Young opener Brook top-scored with 32 as Yorkshire were eventually all out for 96.

At the end of the second day, Somerset finished on six for no loss to extend their lead to 126.

Meanwhile, Pujara will be looking to get back to his best form. India will soon travel to England for a five-Test series and Pujara will have to play a big role if the Virat Kohli-led side is eyeing a series win.

India had disastrous outings in England owing to the last two tours. In 2011, they were thrashed by 4-0 before losing 3-1 in 2014.

Pujara has not played big innings for quite some time now. Known for his ability to play long innings, the Saurashtra star had failed to deliver as per his reputation on the South Africa tour earlier this year.

In six innings, he could score only 100 as India lost the series 2-1.

Cheteshwar Pujara, meanwhile, is not the only Indian playing in England at the moment. Senior pacer Ishant Sharma is playing for Sussex and has already made his mark.

In two games, the lanky pacer has picked up eight wickets in addition to 88 runs including a fifty. There are also reports that skipper Virat Kohli would also play a few county games before the series against England.

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