Cheteshwar Pujara last played in the IPL in 2014 is all set to make his comeback, playing for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021.
The rock of India’s Test batting unit, Cheteshwar Pujara, is making his return to the high profile Indian Premier League this season. Chennai Super Kings picked Pujara in the 2021 IPL auction for the base price.
Pujara’s last appearance in the IPL was for Kings XI Punjab in 2014 against Mumbai Indians. Before that, he played one season for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2010 and three for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011-13.
Being a batsman with a limited skillset, Pujara could not crack the T20 format. Pujara has scored 309 runs in 30 matches in his IPL career at an average of 20.5 and strike rate of less than run-a-ball. Since 2015, he had not found any buyers in auctions and as he revealed he was particularly disappointed about not being picked by Gujarat based franchise.
Gujarat Lions was one of the two teams that were added for two editions of the IPL in 2016 and 2017. The franchise had Pujara’s hometown Rajkot as their base but he could not play on his home ground as he had went unsold in both years.
Well, I was disappointed that I was not picked. But that was not in my control. It would have been nice if I was part of that side. That is in the past and I have moved on,
Pujara expressed his disappointment speaking to Cricbuzz.
Pujara recalls his last IPL game
Cheteshwar Pujara, in his last IPL match scored 19 off 18 against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium in 2014 IPL. When he was asked if he remembers his last game, Pujara quickly answered it and said that he’s excited to make a comeback.
It’s been long for sure. I was last part of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). My last game, I think, was against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede in 2014. To make a comeback to the IPL means a lot to me. It is the best league in the world and I have missed out on being part of it for quite some time.
he said.
