Rested for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, India’s spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin will ply his trade in England’s domestic circuit. As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, the off-spinner could play his first match as early as Worcestershire’s match against Gloucestershire starting on August 28.
Ashwin is not the only Indian player who will play county cricket this season as fast-bowler Ishant Sharma, who has lost his place in the playing eleven, will also turn up for Warwickshire while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is also in talks with the counties.
This will be Ashwin’s first stint with any county outfit. Ashwin has failed to replicate his home performances on overseas tours and would look to gain some valuable experience.
He had played only two of the five Tests when India last visited England in 2014 and with India set to tour the country again next year, Ashwin will be keen to make the most of playing county cricket.
Earlier this year, Cheteshwar Pujara played for Nottinghamshire and Ashwin faces the prospect of playing against his teammate as Worcestershire, who are currently placed second in division two of the county championships, will take on table-toppers Nottinghamshire from September 5.
Pujara, who played for the county when his teammates were playing the Indian Premier League, is all set to join the outfit once again after the conclusion of ongoing series against Sri Lanka. Pujara scored 223 runs for Nottinghamshire in four matches including a match-winning hundred against Gloucestershire and would look to replicate his performance again. The right-handed batsman is in fine form as he scored centuries in the first two Tests against Sri Lanka.