Cheteshwar Pujara has had a good season with the bat in County Cricket for Sussex. On Day 3 of the clash against Pujara was seen in a different role against Leicestershire when he got the opportunity to roll his arm.
Sussex skipper Tom Haines handed the ball to veteran Indian batter who last bowled an over in Test cricket in 2015.
Pujara's first delivery was to South African all-rounder Colin Ackermann who worked it towards the gap for a couple of runs. Ackermann took a single after that.
Pujara adjusted his line after that and bowled two dot deliveries to Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. The fifth delivery was pitched up and Mulder drove it through covers for a boundary. He took a single off the last ball as Pujara conceded eight runs in the over.
Pujara was not given the ball after that over as Haines’ move to disrupt the rhythm with a part-time bowler did not work.
The 34-year-old does not have a wicket to his name in Test cricket. However, in First-Class cricket, he has taken six wickets from 41.5 overs he bowled. He has a bowling average of 26.16 in the format. His best bowling figures are 2/4.
Earlier, Pujara scored 46 runs from 76 deliveries in the first innings. He got out leg before wicket by Ackermann. He took 76 deliveries to score 46 runs. His knock included eight boundaries.
For Sussex, Tom Alsop scored 150 whereas wicketkeeper-batter Oliver Carter, Delray Ralwins and James Coles scored half-centuries. They posted 558 on the board after winning the toss and opted to bat first.
Earlier this month, Pujara opened the innings for India in the rescheduled fifth Test as all-format skipper Rohit Sharma contracted Covid-19 before the game. He could not do well in the first innings and got out for 13 as India lost half their side before crossing 100-run mark. Pujara did well in the second innings and scored 66 runs.
