Pujara eager to get County games under his belt

England

India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will get his County stint with Derbyshire started against Glamorgan this week, and he says he is excited about the opportunity to get to know English conditions a bit better.

India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will get his County stint with Derbyshire started against Glamorgan this week, and he says he is excited about the opportunity to get to know English conditions a bit better.

Pujara did not have the greatest of Test series against England, and asked his home board, the BCCI, if he could stay in the UK to end the season with a local side. Derbyshire snapped him up for their final three games of the season.

Pujara said on the club's website: "I'm looking forward to a good few weeks with Derbyshire. I've been to Derby before during India's Test warm-up match in July.

"I love Derby because it's a small town; there's a quietness about it that I like. When I was here with India, we had a conversation about staying here to play and I am really happy that it has worked out.

"Playing in Derby seems to suit me and I got 81 here this summer. The wicket is a little bit slower than others in England but it has good seam movement and bounce in it, so

"I'm excited to play the last game at The 3aaa County Ground in front of the Derbyshire crowd.

"We have three more games to play and you never know – there's still a chance of getting promoted. As a team, all we can do is win our final three games and see what happens.

"I think my main aim whilst I am here is to get more experience playing in England. I played here for the India youth side and obviously in the Test series earlier this summer.

"I think if I can play as much cricket as possible here then, as a cricketer, I can only improve. Hopefully I can score some runs and gain some confidence.

"I had a conversation with Rahul Dravid, who people say I play similar to, when we were here in Derby in July. He said he had nice memories of playing county cricket and that it was a great experience for his career.

"He said I should definitely play county cricket if I get the chance and I'm happy to now get that chance with Derbyshire, who have been fantastic.

"I can't wait to get going."

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