Cheteshwar Pujara will not be returning to Sussex for next year’s County Championship after the English club decided to release him.
Cheteshwar Pujara, an India Test specialist, will not return to Sussex for next year’s County Championship after the English club elected to replace him with Australian Daniel Hughes. Hughes, who plays left-handed, will be available for both Championship and T20 Vitality Blast fixtures next season. The club also announced that Jayden Sales, a West Indies right-arm fast bowler, will compete in the opening round of Championship matches. Pujara returned to Sussex for the third time in 2024. He played the first seven Championship games before Hughes arrived.
Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace posted a statement on the team’s official website, saying, “Taking over from Cheteshwar is not an easy task, but Dan has fitted in brilliantly and we are all delighted he will be back for the whole of next season.”
During this year’s Blast, Hughes was the top run scorer in the group stages with 560 runs at an average of 43.07, which included five fifty-scores and a career-high 96 not out.
On September 4, the Australian helped Sussex beat Lancashire Lightning at home to advance to the quarterfinals.
Additionally, he will play in Sussex’s last five Championship games of the current campaign.
“Dan has excelled for us both on and off the field. Fabrace stated, “He has greatly aided some of our young batters in the development of their games and brought a wealth of experience to the dressing room.”
