5 Indians who could feature in English county cricket this season

These five players are no longer considered for the white-ball international cricket.

The Indian team finished their quota of Test cricket for the current period after losing both Tests against New Zealand. Their next five-day assignment will come in late 2020 when they travel to Australia for a series of four Tests, which may include a day-night fixture as well.

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This means now the Men in Blue will get into the action with the South Africa ODI series and then travel to Sri Lanka for limited-overs series. In between, there will the IPL as well. However, with so much gap between the two-Test series, the players who feature exclusively in the red-ball format may find it hard to keep themselves match ready.

While a few of them have signed up for county cricket in England, there are few more players who might benefit from the same experience in England and Team COC presents to you the five Indians who can feature in English county cricket this season.

Check out the 5 Indians who could feature in county cricket this season

UMESH YADAV

India’s premier fast bowler in home conditions Umesh Yadav has been out of white-ball contention ever since playing his last ODI against West Indies in Vizag in 2018. Since then, it has been exclusive red-ball cricket for him. This included amazing performances against South Africa and Bangladesh at home.

He will be featuring for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in upcoming IPL 2020, but apart from that, it is highly unlikely that he will be considered for the limited-overs tours mentioned earlier. Therefore, it will be beneficial for him if he signs up with an English county to keep himself fresh for the Australia tour later this year.

R ASHWIN

R Ashwin is no stranger to the English county scene, given that he has played previously for Worcestershire and did very well. This year, he will be turning out for Yorkshire, becoming the fourth Indian player to play for the county.

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Ashwin has not had a good outing in overseas Test matches off the late, as he was unimpressive in England in 2018, struggling with his fitness and then against Australia as well, he picked six wickets in the first Test match but then got injured and missed the remaining matches. In the recently concluded series against New Zealand, he played one Test and picked three wickets.

Playing for Yorkshire would be the best thing that can happen to him, though he will be featuring for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020.

ISHANT SHARMA

Ishant Sharma often credits his time with Sussex in English county cricket in 2018 for turning his bowling skills around. He was helped a lot by head coach Jason Gillespie during his stint in county cricket and since then has been a completely different bowler.

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He made his comeback against New Zealand in the Wellington Test after his ankle injury, but reinjured himself and has been ruled out of the first few matches of the 2020 Indian Premier League as well. However, a stint in the county cricket circuit will be beneficial for him to stay in match fitness.

He will be ready for the Australian tour when the time comes and a good performance in the county will provide additional confidence.

AJINKYA RAHANE

Ajinkya Rahane had played for Hampshire in English county cricket in 2019 but had a poor run with the side. His poor form continued until his century against West Indies in the Test series right after the 2019 World Cup.

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The Mumbaikar since then has been in and out of form though he made runs at home against South Africa and Bangladesh. But in recently concluded series against New Zealand, he once again faltered and was troubled by short pitch bowling by Kiwi pacers.

He should be actively looking for a stint in county cricket, given that he is not in the radar of selectors for white-ball series following the culmination of New Zealand stint. A good outing against top quality pacers in the county might be a confidence booster for the right-hander going into the Australia Test tour.  

CHETESHWAR PUJARA

Cheteshwar Pujara has signed for Gloucestershire for the upcoming English county season. He won't be a part of the upcoming IPL and the Saurashtra batsman knows he needs constant top-flight cricket in order to stay ready for the upcoming Australia series.

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He has previously represented Derbyshire (2014), Yorkshire (2015 and 2018) and Nottinghamshire (2017). In over 200 first-class games, Pujara has 15,605 runs at an average of 53.99 and him staying in good touch with the bat will be the best thing for India as well.