Bengaluru: India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has signed up to play for English county side Gloucestershire, the club announced on Wednesday (February 19). Pujara will be in England in April and May. His first match is on April 12 against Yorkshire.

“Gloucestershire Cricket is delighted to announce the signing of India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara for the first six matches of the County Championship,” the club said on its website.

Also read: IPL 2020 schedule

“I am really excited to get the opportunity to represent Gloucestershire this season. The Club has a rich cricketing history, and this is a great opportunity to be a part of it and contribute to its success,” Pujara, who is currently in New Zealand with the Indian Test team, said.

The right-hander added, “I am grateful to the Club for giving me this opportunity and cannot wait to get to Bristol to meet my teammates and score some runs. I have really enjoyed the experience of coming over to the UK and playing county cricket over the last few years and I am looking forward to building on that whilst continuing to improve my game."

Pujara, who doesn't have an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract, will be away from India during IPL 2020. The Twenty20 tournament starts on March 29 and ends on May 24.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said, “Cheteshwar is a player with great temperament who will add international experience to the squad. He is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in world cricket and we are very fortunate to have him in our squad for the start of the County Championship campaign.

“Adding Pujara to a strong batting line-up gives me great confidence ahead of our opening County Championship matches.”

Pujara is the second Indian player to play for Gloucestershire. In 1995, fast bowler Javagal Srinath took 87 wickets in the solitary season he represented the club. Earlier, Pujara had played for Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.