With the start of the County Cricket 2025 season, several Indian players are preparing to leave their impressions on English soil. With the twin goal of developing their skills and fighting for a place in the national team, these stars are embracing the competitive and demanding nature of county cricket.
Year after year, the county stint has aided Indian cricketers in getting accustomed to seaming conditions, longer spells, and the rigorous schedule of red-ball cricket. The 2025 season follows that tradition as well, with premier Indian names waiting to excel.
Major Indian players in county cricket 2025
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1- Ruturaj Gaikwad – Yorkshire
Promising right-hander Ruturaj Gaikwad has signed with Yorkshire for five County Championship matches from July. Gaikwad had toured with India A a while back and will also be a part of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
First-Class Average: 41.77 (7 centuries)
List A Average: 56.15 (16 centuries)
International Caps: 6 ODIs, 23 T20Is
Back from the elbow injury he picked up in IPL 2025, the Chennai Super Kings skipper is fit and ready to give his bit with steady performances in the English domestic league.
2- Tilak Varma – Hampshire
Young left-hander Tilak Varma has signed a six-week contract with Hampshire, playing four County Championship games from June and July. Famous for his T20I exploits, Tilak now hopes to exhibit his red-ball temperament.
First-Class Stats: 18 matches, 50.16 average, 5 centuries
Replaces: Dewald Brevis (South Africa)
Debut Match: vs Essex at Chelmsford on June 22
Though BCCI regulations stop him from competing in the T20 Blast, Varma’s addition brings new vitality to Hampshire’s red-ball squad.
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3- Ishan Kishan – Nottinghamshire
Ishan Kishan will make his County Championship debut for Nottinghamshire from June 22 against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. National selection for now not being an option, the wicket-keeper batter is utilizing county cricket to make a robust comeback bid.
First-Class Record: 3,400+ runs, 8 centuries
Role: Replacing Kyle Verreynne (South Africa)
Other Fixture: vs Somerset on June 29
Kishan has stayed on in England following his India A stint, looking to establish his long-format credentials.
4- Yuzvendra Chahal – Northamptonshire
Seasoned leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returns to Northamptonshire for a second season in succession, joining the team from June 22 for both the County Championship Division Two and the One-Day Cup.
2024 County Stats: 19 wickets in 4 Championship games
List A Debut: 5/14 against Kent
Highlight Performance: 9/99 against Derbyshire
IPL 2025: 16 wickets in 14 matches for Punjab Kings
Chahal’s wrist-spin was a revelation during the previous year, and he will hope to follow through on that here in familiar surroundings.
Why Indian Cricketers Play County Cricket
The attraction of county cricket is its unparalleled competitive advantage, seaming grounds, and possibility of taking long spells or middle time conditions poles apart from the subcontinent. For a lot of Indian players, it is a vital stepping stone towards national selection, comeback paths, or mere refinement of their trade.
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