Cheteshwar Pujara eager to welcome ‘good friend’ Steve Smith at Sussex ahead of WTC final

Steve Smith will play three games for Sussex in May as part of his preparations for the Ashes and World Test Championship final against India.

“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 to him and learn from him, just to see how he prepares as he has a lot of experience,” Pujara told Sussex Cricket.

“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.”

Pujara has been in great form for Sussex already this season. He has already scored two centuries from three matches and is the leading run-scorer in the second tier of England’s County Championship.

Pujara revealed he had never played in the same team as Smith.

“We have spoken, but most of the time we have played against each other,” Pujara said.

“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.

“We will be playing 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.”

India’s No 3 rated his 151 against Gloucestershire as his best of the County season thus far.

“When I went into bat it felt slightly difficult and during my innings I had to work hard, had to defend well and play many dot balls as well,” Pujara noted.

“Considering the form I was in, I got 100 in the first game, so I felt that I was batting really well.”

India will take on Australia in final against Australia at The Oval from June 7.

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