Cheteshwar Pujara Named Stand-In Captain Of Sussex County Team After Tom Haines’ Injury

India batting star Cheteshwar Pujara will be captaining the Sussex county cricket club in the ongoing English county championship after their regular captain Tom Haines suffered a hand injury and was ruled out for 4-6 weeks.

Pujara is leading the Sussex club in their county match against Middlesex which started on Tuesday at Lord’s in London.

Sussex suffered a massive blow after regular captain Tom Haines broke a bone in his hand while playing against Leicestershire last week. He will be out of action for at least five to six weeks. Hence, the Pujara was handed the job.

Head coach Ian Salisbury is confident that Pujara will do a fantastic job, given that he brings in vast experience in international cricket.

He said: “Puj was very keen to step up in the absence of Tom, he sees the potential in this side and has been a natural leader ever since he joined. Finny did a brilliant job for us after Tom was injured and will remain the senior figure among our bowlers.

“By having a batter take up the role it means Finn can focus on leading our attack. Puj is a vastly experienced and quality person who I know will do a fantastic job.”

Pacer Steven Finn had led the side against Leicestershire in Hove after Haines walked off the ground midway through the game due to the injury.

Cheteshwar Pujara Has Been In Top Form With The Bat For Sussex In County Championship

Sussex, who are currently ninth in the points table of County Championship Division Two 2022, will look to put up a better showing under Pujara and climb up the table in the remaining games.

For Pujara, his bat has been doing all the talking since arriving in the UK for the county championship. He has amassed 766 runs in six games at an astonishing average of almost 110. The 34-year-old has already scored four centuries, including a double hundred.

Pujara is currently third in the highest run-scorers list this season after Shan Masood (1074) and Wayne Madsen (875).

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