Delhi : India's Test cricket specialist Cheteshwar Pujara will not return to Sussex's team in next year's County Championship. The English club has decided to relieve Pujara to retain Australian left-handed batsman Daniel Hughes in the team. Hughes will be available for all Championship and T20 Vitality Blast matches next season.

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Head coach Paul Farbrace gave this information

Pujara played for Sussex for the third consecutive time in 2024 and he played the first seven championship matches before Hughes' return. Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace said in an official statement, “It was not easy for us to end the contract with Cheteshwar, but Daniel is more suitable for the needs of our team. We are happy that he will be with us for the entire next season.”

Daniel Hughes has performed brilliantly recently and has scored 560 runs at an average of 43.07 in the group stage of this year's T20 Blast, including five half-centuries.

His highest score was 96 runs. Hughes will also play in the remaining five matches of the County Championship this season. Sussex have also announced that West Indies right-arm fast bowler Jaden Seals will play in the opening matches of the County Championship.

Pujara has played 100 tests

Cheteshwar Pujara made his Test debut for India in 2010 and scored 7195 runs in 103 Test matches, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

He played an important role in India winning the Test series in Australia. However, due to poor form, he has been out of Team India since 2023. He played his last Test match against Australia.