Sussex sign India star Cheteshwar Pujara to replace Travis Head after Aussie pulls out of 2022 deal

India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will play for Sussex this coming season after the club’s County Championship captain Travis Head pulled out of his 2022 deal.

Pujara, 34, will be joined in Sussex’s first-class team from the second round of matches next month by Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan.

Having been axed by India for the current series with Sri Lanka, the 95-cap Test batter will have something to prove from a personal perspective while he and Rizwan, who is expected to be available for all cricket from April 14 to early June, will hope to revive the fortunes of a club that finished bottom in last year’s Championship.

Pujara, who previously played here domestically for Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, said: ‘Over the years I have always enjoyed my time in the UK playing county cricket, so I am eagerly looking forward to the new stint.’

He will arrive before the start of the season and is also due to feature in Sussex’s Royal London Cup side.

Australian Head, the man he replaces, asked to be excused from his contract after an increase in his international commitments. He and his partner Jessica are also expecting their first child.

The 34-year-old has previously played for Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire

Pujara will be joined by Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan (left)

Travis Head (right) pulled out of his deal with Sussex as his wife is due to give birth

Head was due to wear the armband in four-day cricket this summer to take some of the weight off the shoulders of Tom Haines, who led Sussex last year at the age of 22. However, he may now be asked to resume the role, with the club weighing up their captaincy options.

Meanwhile, Sussex have signed a fourth overseas player for the campaign in Josh Philippe.

The 24-year-old, who has played 13 limited-overs matches for Australia, will feature alongside Rizwan at the start of the group stage while Rashid Khan returns to replace the Pakistani star once his Indian Premier League commitments are over.