Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin might play a first-class game for Surrey before the highly-anticipated Test series against England.

Ashwin could turn up for Surrey as early as July 11 if he manages to secure his work visa in time. On the other hand, the five-match Test series between India and England is slated to start on August 4 at Trent Bridge.

In the past, Ashwin has represented Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire in the County Championship.

If he is able to acquire the visa for Surrey’s game against Somerset at The Oval, the off-spinner will get valuable match practice before the Test series, which will see the fourth game being played at The Oval.

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, “both parties (Ashwin and Surrey) are confident it will be done in time for the match starting July 11”.

It is pertinent to mention here that Team India will play a warm-up game against ‘Select County XI’ from July 20 to 22. ECB decided to arrange the practice match after BCCI’s request last week.

After the WTC final last month, skipper Virat Kohli had said that the Indian team was keen to play first-class games before the scheduled five-Test series against England but their request was turned down for reasons not known to him.

Notably, Indian cricketers are on a 20-day break from the bio-bubble life following the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, which they lost by 8 wickets.

When the break ends, the entire squad will assemble in London on July 14, before travelling to Nottingham to start their preparations for the England Test series.