Will The IPL Franchises Take A Note Of Cheteshwar Pujara's Form While Playing For Sussex - Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has talked about Cheteshwar Pujara’s red hot form with the bat while playing for Sussex County Cricket Club in the ongoing English summer. 

Pujara was as consistent as any in the championship matches, scoring 1094 runs in eight matches at an immaculate average of 109.40, including five centuries and three double centuries.

The Saurashtra batter continued the magnificent run in the Royal London One-Day Cup while leading the team.

Pujara has played 30 IPL games and scored 390 runs at a strike rate of 99.74 with his last appearance being for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2014.

Although Pujara was picked by Chennai Super Kings in 2021 IPL for his base price of INR 50 lakhs, he didn’t play a single game for the MS Dhoni-led side in their title-winning campaign.

Cheteshwar Pujara has been in scintillating form for some time now: Ravichandran Ashwin

Speaking on his own Youtube channel, Ashwin shed light on how Pujara’s performance for Sussex helped him come back to the Test team.

“Cheteshwar Pujara is having an outstanding run for Sussex. He has been in scintillating form for some time now. He is scoring runs for fun. He had a terrific start for Sussex even in the County Championship games. Sussex didn’t have a good County Championship, but they had a really good Royal One-Day Cup,” Ashwin said.

“Are the IPL teams watching?,” Ashwin on Pujara’s potential IPL contract next season.

Will IPL franchises take note of Cheteshwar Pujara’s form: Ravichandran Ashwin

The 35-year-old was impressed with the way Pujara showcased his range of shots and adapted in the white ball games for Sussex. Ashwin was wondering if the IPL teams were keeping an eye on Pujara’s recent batting performance. 

“With his experience and game range, he has been in terrific form. In fact, he has been in accelerating form. He is scoring loads and loads of runs at a quicker pace as well. An Indian middle-order batter who is scoring runs at a brisk pace. A mini-auction is right around the corner. Will the IPL franchises take a note of this?” Ashwin said.

Pujara scored three centuries and two fifties to finish with 624 runs at an average of 89.14 in his nine appearances for Sussex in the Royal London Cup (List-A). He also captained the side in the absence of Tom Haines due to an injury. Under Pujara’s leadership, Sussex reached the semi-final for the first time since 2012. 

Also Read: Cheteshwar Pujara Scores Third Hundred Of Royal London Cup