CHETESHWAR Pujara wants to make up for missing out on an Indian Premier League contract by getting Yorkshire off to a flyer in the LV= County Championship.

The White Rose's new overseas signing, who will play until the end of next month, had hoped to be playing Twenty20 cricket at home, having put himself up for auction in February.

He was overlooked by all eight franchises, however, and left with the prospect of a spell on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old impressed in three Championship matches for Derbyshire at the end of last season, but such was his desire to play in the IPL, he made himself unavailable to them for a second spell this summer.

In the end, he is returning to county cricket, but now with the county champions.

"Derbyshire had asked a few months ago whether I was interested in playing for them but I said 'no' because I was hoping to play in the IPL," said Pujara, who has played 27 Tests for India.

"Sadly, I didn't get picked in the IPL auction. Luckily for me, there was an opportunity to play for Yorkshire.

"I am thankful to the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for allowing me to take part because if I didn't get a county contract, I would have had no games to play in the immediate future.

"My first priority is to do well for Yorkshire. I followed them on TV while I was playing for Derbyshire. They have set themselves a certain standard. They were the champions last year and won many games."

Although Pujara scored his 28th first-class century for domestic side Saurashtra in January, he has not scored a Test hundred since December 2013 against South Africa at Johannesburg.

He has played three series since, most recently against England last summer and in Australia in December.

"I had average tours (of England and Australia)," he said. "But I feel I am learning every day. I can't change my past but I can try and build a good future.

"It was not that I wasn't getting starts, I just couldn't convert those runs into big scores.

"I have always believed in hard work. I am like a child who is not talented but I know I can excel through hard work. I hope this county stint will be a memorable one.

"County cricket teaches you so many things. I experienced it during my last visit to Derbyshire.

"Yorkshire are the champions, so I know for a fact that the coming two months will be a learning experience for me.

"Adapting to the conditions will be the key. The ball will move a lot, and it will be cold. I won't be getting any easy deliveries. If I do well, it will be a much-needed confidence boost."