IPL won't affect my preparation for tour of England: Cheteshwar Pujara

AHMEDABAD: Playing in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) will not affect my preparation for the away Test series in England or possibly a stint for an English county, India No.3 Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who returns to the IPL for the first time since 2014, said on Saturday. Pujara was picked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs.50 lakh at Thursday's auction. The IPL is to be played in April and May. IPL will be followed by June's World Test Championship (WTC) final, for which India can qualify. New Zealand have qualified for the final to be played in June at Lord's, London, in England. "I am really glad to be part of the IPL. It is good to be back again... at the same time, I will still have enough time before we play England Test series once IPL gets over. There will be a window in which I can play a few county games [in England]. But I will take that call once IPL gets over or even midway through the IPL," Pujara told the media on Saturday.

"But there will be enough time to play some county games and we have a couple of practice games before the Test series begins in August. So, there is plenty of time to play county games. But it is good to be bacPlaying in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) will not affect my preparation for the away Test series in England or possibly a stint for an English county, India No.3 Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who returns to the IPL for the first time since 2014, said on Saturday. Pujara was picked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs.50 lakh at Thursday's auction. The IPL is to be played in April and May. IPL will be followed by June's World Test Championship (WTC) final, for which India can qu in the IPL," said the Indian batting mainstay. IANS

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