Sussex re-sign Cheteshwar Pujara for 2023

The veteran Indian batter enjoyed a fine campaign at Hove, scoring well over 1,000 runs and captaining a young side to the Royal London Cup semi-finals

Cheteshwar Pujara will re-join Sussex for next season after enjoying a remarkable summer on the south coast in 2022.

The Indian batter, 34, scored1,094 runs in just eight County Championship appearances, averaging 109.4 in the process. No one in the country made more centuries – three of them doubles – than the 96-Test veteran, who hit five in all. Only six players scored more runs, all of whom played at least three games more.

Sussex still only won once in red-ball cricket, consigning them to a seventh-placed finish in Division Two, above only Leicestershire. Pujara's form, though, rubbed off on those around him.

"We all saw the class he showed with the bat and his performances," said Keith Greenfield, Sussex's performance director, "but he was also outstanding in our young dressing room as a world class role model for them to follow."

Youngsters Ali Orr, Tom Haines and Tom Clark, as well as Tom Alsop – brought in from Hampshire – all flourished, inspired by the presence of Pujara, who captained the county in the Royal London Cup.

^{Pujara was an excellent acquisition for Sussex in 2022 (Michael Steele/Getty Images)}

Not known for his white-ball prowess, he carried his first-class form into the 50-over competition, averaging 89.1 and carrying a strike rate of 111.6 as Sussex reached the semi-finals. He made his highest List A score – 174 off 131 balls – against Surrey.

"I am glad to be back with Sussex for the 2023 season," he said. "I thoroughly enjoyed my last stint with the club last season, both on and off the field and I'm looking forward to contributing to the team's growth and success in the coming year."

His signing comes as a timely boost for Sussex, who are currently without a head coach. Ian Salisbury departed after a period on gardening leave following a "non-cricketing disagreement" with spinner Jack Carson, while Sussex have since put out a job advert looking for a head coach across all three formats, meaning an end to James Kirtley's time as Sussex's T20 coach.

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