Out-of-favour fast bowler Varun Aaron has become the latest Indian player to be signed up by an English County side ahead of the 2018 Specsavers County Championship. The 28-year-old will play for Division 2 side Leicestershire as they are desperate to turn things around, having finished at the bottom of the table last year.
Aaron, who has represented India in 9 Tests and as many ODIs thus far, has played county cricket for Durham in 2014. Having gone unsold at the IPL auction in January, Aaron is expected to play across both first-class and List A formats for Leicestershire this season.
“Varun is a high-quality performer and his skills will be ideally suited to early season conditions in England. We are delighted to secure his signature for both Specsavers County Championship games and fixtures in the Royal London One-Day Cup," Leicestershire head coach Paul Nixon said in a press release.
“We are getting a genuinely quick bowler in Varun, who has played a number of games for India and also enjoyed a fine domestic career. Varun is very keen to do well for us and get back in the India team again and we’re really looking forward to him linking up with us,” he further added.
Aaron has been roped in as cover for Pakistan pacer Muhammad Abbas, who will miss the majority of county season because of his national commitments.
As per Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s official website, Abbas is available for the opening Specsavers County Championship fixture against Sussex on April 20 and Aaron will take over in first-class and List A cricket until Abbas returns for the Specsavers County Championship match against Middlesex on June 20.
“I am relishing the opportunity to join the Foxes for the first part of the season. Playing county cricket presents me with a great opportunity to showcase my skills. I’m looking forward to taking wickets and contributing to the success of the team,” Aaron quoted as saying by Leicestershire’s official website.
Besides Aaron, Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli will turn up in this year's county championship for Sussex, Yorkshire and Surrey respectively.
India are scheduled to tour England from July 3 where they will play three T20Is and as many ODIs before featuring in a five-match Test series.
