SOMERSET went into their final County Championship match without the services of their overseas player Piyush Chawla because he was called up by India to play in a tournament which got underway on Thursday.

During his time with Somerset the 24-year-old leg-spinning all rounder played a major part in helping them to two crucial victories in their fight for survival in the first division of the LV=Championship.

Shortly after receiving the news that he had to cut short his stay in Taunton a slightly heavy-hearted Chawla said: “I am going home earlier that I had thought but I cant really help it because BCCI call me up to take part in the Challengers Trophy and I have to leave.

“There are three teams in the tournament which is the winners of the one day trophy which is Delhi, India Seniors and India A and I am playing for the Seniors.”

Chawla has played in the Challengers Trophy before as he explained: “That was the tournament in which I really came into the limelight when as a 16-year-old I got Sachin Tendulkar out and in the same game I got Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni so that really highlighted my performance and gave me that step up in my career.

“I thought I was here for the whole season but I have to leave the team with one game to go but these things are not in my control.”

Reflecting on his short time at the County Ground he said: “I was happy that I helped the team to two wins but I felt it could have so easily have been three, but we put up a good fight.”

What memories will Piyush be taking away from Somerset?

“Well I loved playing for this team and sharing a dressing room with the likes of Marcus Trescothick who is one of the greatest of cricket players along with Nick Compton, Craig Kieswetter and Alfonso Thomas, in fact all of the guys here have helped to make it a really good memory for me.

“Taunton is quite a small town but the club is big and I have loved everything about this club.”

Chawla also has a very special memory of the supporters that he will take away.

“The supporters here have really appreciated me when I walked onto the field whenever I came into bowl or bat and I am honoured to have had played for this club.

"All the fans have treated me so well and appreciated my work so I just want to thank them all very much.”