London: Yorkshire have signed India's Cheteshwar Pujara until the end of May after cancelling the contract of Younis Khan, the English county champions announced on Wednesday.
Veteran batsman Younis was due to be Yorkshire's overseas player for 2015, but his desire to join Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh has effectively ruled him out of the County Championship, opening the door for Pujara.
.@cheteshwar1 is on his way #YCCC read all about it:- http://t.co/sM73libkyw pic.twitter.com/D8Y8PTrdPR
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 1, 2015Watch: Sachin Tendulkar proves why he’s called the ‘God of cricket’
"I was looking to return to the UK after my previous experience of county cricket, which I greatly enjoyed," said 27-year-old Pujara, who scored 219 runs for Derbyshire last season.
"When Yorkshire made the offer, I didn't think twice. To wear the same white rose Sachin Tendulkar did is going to be a great feeling for me. I hope I can contribute to further success."
@cheteshwar1 will wear the same @Yorkshireccc white rose as Sachin Tendulkar. He's scored 8724 First Class runs at an ave of 57. Can't wait!
— Steve Denison (@SteveJDenison) April 1, 2015Pujara, who has scored nearly 9,000 first-class runs, will be available for Yorkshire until Australian Aaron Finch returns from playing in the Indian Premier League.
"We have moved quickly to bring in Pujara and he is a superb player," Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon told the club's website.
"He is an outstanding young Test cricketer, who is hungry to perform in the English game."
