Experienced India batter finds form ahead of World Test Championship final

While the majority of his national teammates are currently back home and featuring in the ongoing Indian Premier League, Pujara is once again honing his red-ball craft with a stint for Sussex in the second division of the County Championship.

Pujara hit the ground running in England with an excellent 115 in the first innings of Sussex’s clash against Durham at Hove and then backed it up with a solid 35 in the second dig to put his side within sight of victory.

It's a welcome return to form for Pujara, who struggled to make much of an impact against Australia during the recent Border-Gavaskar Test series as the 35-year-old managed just 140 runs from six knocks.

But Pujara re-affirmed his position as one of India's premier red-ball batters with his sixth century for Sussex and the right-hander was thrilled to be back among the runs.

"The things I have been working on are paying off and it was an important knock for the team," Pujara said after his century.

"As a batter, if you start well you feel confident and I hope that I can carry on from here and keep scoring runs throughout the season.

“I love batting on this pitch. It’s important to get a good start. I’m really happy with the way things went."

India will be hoping to have Pujura at his best for the one-off World Test Championship final against Australia at the start of June and will be relying on the experienced No.3 to find the same form that helped him collate 409 runs at an average of 45 during the last calendar year.

And while the runs haven't been as easy to come by for Pujara at Test level to start 2023, his latest efforts with the bat in County cricket point to a good preparation heading into the World Test Championship final.

Pujara will get a host of further chances to continue his form with Sussex's next match once again at home against Yorkshire from April 20, before the team begins a string of away matches at the end of the month.

Australia batter Steve Smith is also set to join up with Pujara and Sussex ahead of the World Test Championship final, with the right-hander scheduled to play three matches for the county during May.