Pujara gets nod to play county cricket

Mumbai: Cheteshwar Pujara, who was among the top-order batsmen who failed to click in the five-Test series against England that India lost 1-3, has sought permission to play in the remainder of the English county season and will be allowed to do so by the Board.
“Pujara is not part of the ODI or T20 team now and is free to play. He sought my permission to play in county cricket and I have asked him to send me the details. I have decided to allow him to play,” BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel told the reporters.
“We have never said no to any player to play in county cricket if it does not clash with our domestic cricket like Ranji Trophy etc. If you remember we had allowed Gautam Gambhir to play in the English country cricket (in 2013 for Essex),” Patel said.
Pujara, considered a Test specialist, was expected to be the bulwark of the young Indian batting line-up, but failed to live up to the reputations in England, where conditions were conducive to swing bowling. (PTI)