Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane is all set to join the English county side Leicestershire after the conclusion of India's two-Test series against the West Indies, according to a report. This will mark Rahane's second county stint, as he previously played for Hampshire in the 2019 season.
Rahane, a seasoned batsman and former captain of the Indian team, recently made a remarkable comeback during the World Test Championship final against Australia earlier this month. The talented cricketer had signed a deal with Leicestershire in January, intending to participate in eight first-class games and the entire Royal London Cup (a domestic 50-over competition) between June and September, following his stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
However, due to his unexpected return to the Indian Test team, Rahane couldn't immediately join his county side after the IPL. After the conclusion of the two Tests in the West Indies, which are set to end on July 24, Rahane is expected to fly directly to England and join Leicestershire for the remainder of the season. In August, he will participate in the Royal London Cup, followed by a possible four County games in September. It is unlikely that Rahane will be part of India's white-ball plans during this period.
A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed, "Ajinkya, after the two Tests in West Indies, is supposed to fly directly to England and join Leicestershire for the remainder of the season. He will play the Royal London Cup in August and a possible four County games in September as he is unlikely to be a part of the white-ball scheme of things." The source spoke on the condition of anonymity to PTI.
Rahane's previous county stint occurred in 2019 when he played for Hampshire after being dropped from India's 50-over World Cup squad. In the recent World Test Championship final, Rahane showcased his batting prowess by scoring a solid 89 runs in India's first innings. Furthermore, he has crossed the milestone of 5,000 runs in Test cricket, achieving this feat in 83 matches.
While many of the top Indian players will shift their focus to 50-over cricket, Rahane will gain valuable red-ball game time throughout September. Subsequently, he will return to India for the domestic season before embarking on a tour of South Africa in December. Rahane's participation in county cricket will undoubtedly contribute to his growth as a player and further hone his skills in the longer format of the game.