Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara Credits: Twitter

Indian middle batter Cheteshwar Pujara is elated to welcome his “good friend” Steve Smith for his stint with the Sussex team ahead WTC final and Ashes 2023 in England. The former Australian skipper will play three games for Sussex as a part of his preparation for high-octane clashes starting on June 7 in Oval.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Steve Smith will go up against each other in World Test Championship in England, before which both the batters are expected to play vital for Sussex in County Cricket.

Speaking on Sussex Cricket, Pujara believes that Steve Smith can make a big difference in the team, and the youngster in the dressing room is excited to have Smith on the team  and to know about his experiences in the International cricket

“He (Smith) is a great influence to have in the team and the guys will be looking forward to having him in the dressing room and will try and have a chat with him and learn from him, just to see how he prepares as he has a lot of experience,” Cheteshwar Pujara said.

Pujara said that the whole team is looking forward to his arrival as he can share his experience and knowledge about the game to the youngsters and it can be valuable input for them going forward in the tournament.

“We are all looking forward to having him here and sharing his experience as he has a lot of knowledge about the game and it will be nice to have his input,” he stated.

On The Field, We Always Have Good Battles – Cheteshwar Pujara On Steve Smith

Cheteshwar Pujara said that it will be a different experience for him to share the dressing room alongside Steve Smith as they have played for different teams and said that he can try to know him better and learn a few new things from the Australian batter and that it would be mixed feeling as they would go up each other in months in WTC finals.

“We have spoken, but most of the time we have played against each other, It is never for the same team, so it will be exciting and I will try and get his thoughts, try and know him a little better,” he further added.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith Credits: Twitter

“We will be playing the WTC final (against each other), so it will be mixed feelings. On the field, we always have good battles, but off the field, we are good friends,” Cheteshwar Pujara added.

India will take on Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship Final at Kensington Oval on June 7, 2023, with a reserve day on June 12, and will look to end the ICC title drought in England. Team India lost the inaugural edition of the WTC Final in 2021 against New Zealand.