India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has opined on Steven Smith joining Sussex ahead of the final of the World Test Championship and the Ashes series. The former Aussie captain has made this move to adjust to English conditions.
Pujara, who went unsold for IPL 2023, took some time off after the Border-Gavaskar series and headed to England to join Sussex. Recently, the right-handed batsman scored an incredible 151 in Sussex’s game against Gloucestershire which resulted in a draw in the County Championship.
Speaking about his new teammate Smith, the Indian batsman said, ” We talk to each other but we were usually in the opposite team. We have never played together. It will be fascinating as I’ll try to learn his thoughts and get to understand him a little better. We will be facing each other at the WTC final. I have mixed feelings. On the field, we always have good battles, but off the field, we are good friends.”
Pujara added, “We are all looking forward to having him in the squad and sharing his experience as he is a master of the game with a lot of knowledge and it will be nice to have his input.”
Smith was recently part of the broadcast team for the 16th season of the Indian Premier League but is expected to be available for Sussex’s next contest against Worcestershire from May 4 onwards.