Emerging all-rounder Arav Shetty has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Lancashire Cricket, extending his stay at Emirates Old Trafford after a standout short-term stint last summer. At just 21, this right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler is the first graduate from the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to lock in a professional contract with the club, and it’s clear why the Red Rose brass see him as a key piece moving forward.

Lancashire Signs Arav Shetty

Arav Shetty burst onto the scene during the Metro Bank One-Day Cup in August 2025, wasting no time in proving his worth across formats. In seven List A outings, he racked up 168 runs at an average of 33.6, with a top score of 40, while snaring nine wickets with his crafty off-breaks.

He even made his First-Class debut in the Rothesay County Championship against Middlesex, picking up a wicket and gaining vital red-ball experience. Throw in appearances at Vitality Blast Finals Day, and you’ve got a young talent who adapted quickly to the big stage. His Second XI numbers speak volumes too, 1,546 runs at 32 and 45 wickets at 31 across 53 matches, showing he’s no flash in the pan.

What makes this signing even more special is Shetty’s journey. A product of Lancashire’s academy, he faced setbacks after leaving at 18 for university, but fought back through SACA and Second XI grind.

Speaking on the official site, Shetty said, “I’m really happy to commit my future to Lancashire, the club I grew up representing as a junior. The support from coaches, players, and members has been terrific, and I’m excited to give everything for the club’s success.” Head coach Steven Croft echoed the hype: “Arav showed real growth last season… His all-round skills add depth to our squad, and we’re thrilled to develop him further with the Red Rose.”

Expect Arav Shetty to push for more first-team minutes right away. If his 2025 cameos are any guide, best figures of 3-34 in the One-Day Cup and that gritty debut, he’ll deliver drama and results. Lancashire members, rejoice: priority tickets for domestic games, including the big July 10 Roses showdown, are up for grabs from £35. Shetty’s arrival signals brighter days ahead. Stay tuned as the Red Rose builds for glory; you won’t want to miss this rise.

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The never-ending thrill of the cricket world just got better with the headline-grabbing news of Ruturaj Gaikwad bagging a maiden county cricket deal with Yorkshire. The CSK captain’s journey got even cooler than it already is as he went and sealed a deal with Yorkshire, one of England’s most iconic county cricket clubs.

If that isn’t news to get the pulse racing for every Indian cricket fan, then what is? But then came the moment of disappointment as the news broke out that he had backed out of the deal. So, why did he let go of this opportunity? Let’s find out.

“Always Been A Goal,, Says Ruturaj Gaikwad

It all began with Yorkshire’s announcement that their batting would be getting a heavy dose of Indian brilliance. And for Ruturaj Gaikwad, this was a dream moment. The CSK captain himself said, “I’m excited to be joining up with Yorkshire for the rest of the English domestic season,” Gaikwad said after signing. “It has always been a goal of mine to experience cricket in this country, and there is no bigger Club in England than Yorkshire. I know how important it is that I hit the ground running at what will be a crucial part of the season. We have some vital games in the County Championship, and the One Day Cup is a great opportunity to win some silverware.”

So, What Went Wrong?

Ruturaj Gaikwad is supposed to pack his kit and arrive just in time for their high-voltage County Championship fixture against Surrey, with plenty of games in the One-Day Cup lined up through the rest of the season.​ But even before he landed in England, Gaikwad had cricket fans talking. Known not just for his classical strokes but also his cool-headed captaincy in the IPL, the 28-year-old was making headlines for the right reasons.

But the sport, much like life, knows a twist or two. Just when anticipation reached a fever pitch, news broke that Ruturaj Gaikwad would have to back out of the deal due to a personal issue back home. Yorkshire, disappointed but supportive, confirmed that he wouldn’t be joining them after all. The timing was brutal; he was set to debut against Surrey in the heart of the season, and his absence meant Yorkshire had to scramble for alternatives.​

For fans, it’s a letdown, sure. But Ruturaj Gaikwad’s England ambitions aren’t gone, just delayed. After an elbow injury kept him out of action for months, this was supposed to be his return to competitive cricket. The fact that Yorkshire trusted him to deliver in crunch moments speaks volumes about how highly he’s rated among international circles.​ So here’s hoping that the next chapter in Ruturaj Gaikwad’s county cricket dream comes sooner rather than later.

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Hold onto your cricket caps, folks, Yuzvendra Chahal is back! The masterful leg-spinner has confirmed his return to Northamptonshire for the 2026 season, marking his third consecutive summer with the English county side.

And yes, this comeback is not just about taking wickets; it’s also about bringing some serious spin wisdom to the young guns hungry for guidance.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s Stint With Northamptonshire

Yuzvendra Chahal’s stint with Northamptonshire will kick off in the second half of the 2026 season, where he’ll be seen unleashing his magic both in the County Championship and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

The man who’s already taken 44 first-class wickets and seven List A wickets at Wantage Road is upping his game this time around, adding mentorship to his role, helping nurture promising spinners like Nirvan Ramesh and Stuart van der Merwe. Talk about carrying the torch while still being a wicket-taking machine!

Northamptonshire head coach Darren Lehmann is absolutely buzzing about Yuzvendra Chahal’s return. He called Yuzi “a magnificent asset to the squad,” bringing loads of class, experience, and spin wizardry to the team. Lehmann isn’t just excited about Chahal’s impact on the pitch; he’s equally pumped about the mentorship Chahal provides to the up-and-coming talent. That experience? Priceless.

Now, Yuzvendra Chahal’s 2025 at Northants was cut short due to some personal reasons, but his love for the club and the county circuit never faded. “I’m so excited to be back,” Chahal said, and it shows. At 35, there’s still plenty of cricket left in the tank for this spinner who has been a key bowler for India in white-ball cricket with over 200 wickets under his belt.

That’s your fast take on Chahal’s much-anticipated comeback, a story of cricket, passion, and the joy of mentoring the next generation. Stay tuned; 2026 is going to be spinner heaven at Wantage Road!

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Indian star Ishan Kishan, who was ignored in the India squad for the England Test Series 2025, has made a remarkable debut at the County Championship 2025. Nottinghamshire signed on a short-term contract to make up for Kyle Verreynne’s absence as he is away for international duty. His aggressive batting against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge on 23 June 2026 turned heads as he made his remarkable debut for county cricket.

Ishan Kishan’s Dream Debut At County Championship

Ishan Kishan came at number six and scored 87 runs off 98 balls, with 12 fours and a six. This resulted in a strike rate close to 89, marking a dream debut for Kishan. His innings were marked by fearless stroke play, which helped stabilise and boost the team’s total to overcome 450 runs.

Ishan Kishan’s dream debut eventually ended by England spinner Dom Bess, and he narrowly missed a century. However, it doesn’t overshadow the outstanding performance he gave yesterday.

Out Of The Indian Squad Since…

Before his county stint, Ishan Kishan had been out of the Indian team since December 2023, after he decided to opt out for the South Africa Test Series. Although he has played only two Tests for India with a fifty to his name, Kishan is known for his attacking skills in limited-overs cricket. He boasts an ODI average over 42 with a double century and nearly 800 T20I runs at a strike rate of 124. His recent IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad was productive, scoring 354 runs at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate above 152, including a century.

Future Hopes For Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan’s strong start in England comes at a great time as he aims to stay in the selectors’ frame for future India matches, having recently reclaimed a BCCI central contract in the C-grade bracket.

Also read:  Tilak Varma Signs with Hampshire for County Championship Stint

Hampshire County Cricket Club has officially announced that Indian batting sensation Tilak Varma will be joining the team on a short-term deal. The 22-year-old left-hander from Hyderabad will be available to the club’s next four matches, beginning from 22 June. His stint will last until 1 August 2025.

Tilak Varma: The Indian Batting Sensation

Tilak Varma has made a name for himself. He brings significant international and domestic experience to the team. He has represented India in 29 matches, including 25 T20Is, where he scored 749 runs at an amazing average of 49.93, which is the highest for any ICC full-member nation and second overall. His records include two centuries, both against South Africa in November 2024. He also scored three half-centuries.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Varma has been a consistent performer for the Mumbai Indians since joining the franchise in 2022. He has scored just under 1500 runs in 54 matches, with eight half-centuries.

He has played 18 first-class matches, scoring over 1200 runs, including five centuries and four fifties. He also featured for India A in the Duleep Trophy.

Giles White On Varma’s Inclusion

Giles White, Director of Cricket, said, “It’s fantastic to have Tilak available for the next four County Championship matches. He’s an exciting talent who has already made a big impact on the international stage and in the IPL, and we look forward to seeing what he can do for Hampshire this summer.”

Hampshire is currently sitting in seventh position in Division One after finishing as runners-up last season. Tilak Varma’s inclusion is expected to boost their campaign as they look to climb up the ranks. His first appearance will be against Essex, followed by a home debut at the Ageas Bowl against Worcestershire from 29 June to 2 July 2025.

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The County Championship is the only domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales. It was first introduced in 1890, making it one of the oldest county cricket tournaments. It’s organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board as a two-league system. The 2025 County Championship is the 125th season, which is set to go on the floors on 4 April and will continue for six months, ending on 27 September 2025.

The teams are split into two divisions, Division One and Division Two. So let’s take a look at the teams and captains for both.

County Championship 2025: Teams, Captains, And Coach

The tournament will feature 18 teams, 10 of which are grouped in Division One and 8 of them in Division Two. The following table includes full information of the teams, coaches and captains of the County Championship 2025.

Division One

Division Two

County Championship 2025: Full Schedule And Fixture

The County Championship 2025 will last for six months, so here is the month-wise schedule.

April 2025

May 2025

June 2025

July 2025

September 2025

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Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has joined Northamptonshire for their last fixture in the One-Day Cup and the remaining five matches in the County Championship Division Two. The Northamptonshire club announced the news of the same on Wednesday.

Yuzvendra Chahal To Play One-Day And County Cricket For Northamptonshire

The 34-year-old Chahal has played 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is for India with 217 wickets across both formats so far in his career. Northamptonshire announced on their website that Yuzvendra Chahal, who was a part of the country’s successful campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024, will link up with the squad on Wednesday ahead of their trip to Canterbury to play against Kent.

In a statement, Northamptonshire said: “Northamptonshire County Cricket Club are delighted that Indian international Yuzvendra Chahal will join the club for the final One-Day Cup match at Kent and the remaining five County Championship fixtures.”

He added: “Also previously an India youth international in the sport of chess, Chahal spent time at Kent in the 2023 season, taking nine wickets in two of their three Division One matches of the campaign.”

Northamptonshire head coach John Sadler said: “Yuzvendra is another high-profile overseas player who brings with him a wealth of experience and some incredible skills. His record speaks for itself and his wicket-taking ability will add strength to our attack.”

When it comes to the County Championship, Northamptonshire is currently placed seventh in the eight-team County Division Two points table with seven draws and two defeats in nine games. In contrast, in the One-Day Cup also the club has had a tough season so far with only one win and six defeats keeping them at the eighth position in Group A.

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Louis Kimber Setting New County Records

At 27, Louis Kimber delivered one of the most memorable innings in County Championship history, setting new county records. He scored the fastest double-hundred, reaching 200 in just 100 balls, hit a record 21 sixes, and set another record by scoring 43 runs in a single over off England seamer Ollie Robinson. The previous championship record of 38 runs per over, set in 1998 by Lancashire’s Andrew Flintoff against Surrey’s Alex Tudor, was shattered just two days ago when Lawrence took Bashir apart.

In the Robinson over, Louis Kimber (243 off 127 balls) scored a 62-ball hundred and continued to make a 100-delivery double century, which is the quickest in County Championship history. This feat beat the 123-ball score made by Aneurin Donald for Glamorgan against Derbyshire in 2016. Kimber hit a double century off just 100 balls on day four of the Division 1 match against Sussex. Kimber’s performance is second only to Afghanistan batter Shafiqullah Shinwari’s 89-ball effort in the Afghan first-class match between Kabul and the Boost region in 2017/18.

Record for Most Sixes in an Innings With Breaking Ben Stokes’ Record

Louis Kimber broke Ben Stokes’ 2022 Championship record with 21 sixes in an innings, surpassing Durham’s 17 against Worcestershire. What made it even more remarkable was Kimber’s record until today. He made his only previous century against Sussex in 2022 and averaged a modest 24.46, yet he cut, pulled, and drove the Sussex attack to distraction in an uninhibited display of power and timing, becoming the fourth-highest scorer by a No. 8 in first-class cricket.

Overcoming Challenges and Dominating the Pitch

Louis Kimber offered a difficult chance on 17 to Tom Alsop at slip, which burst through the fielder’s hands. Jack Carson nearly hung on to a ball struck with ferocious power over deep midwicket, which took Kimber to 150. Otherwise, Sussex’s bowlers had little success stopping his onslaught. Initially circumspect, Kimber scored 26 off his first 30 balls before a calculated assault on off-spinner Carson, whom he hit for 20 in an over, took him to a 37-ball fifty.

Targeting the short scoreboard-side boundary, Kimber forced Sussex skipper John Simpson to revert to his most experienced seamer. Robinson conceded four runs in his first two overs, but Louis Kimber unleashed in his third over, hitting two sixes and six fours, the fifth of which he cut low past cover to bring up a 62-ball hundred. Even when Robinson went fuller, Kimber made room to smash him through the covers before taking a single off the last ball to keep the strike.

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Relentless Assault and Record-breaking Runs

As the carnage continued, Louis Kimber added his next 50 runs from just 19 deliveries. In the penultimate over before lunch, Fynn Hudson-Prentice was taken for 20, with the session producing 216 runs in 29 overs. Robinson returned after lunch, but Kimber reached his double-hundred by swatting him over long-on for his 17th six. The stand had been worth 239 in just 27 overs – a new Leicestershire eighth-wicket record – when Robinson pinned Ben Cox with an inswinger, Cox having contributed 34.

With Leicestershire needing 29 to win and Hull, who averages 3.25, for company, Kimber had no option but to go for broke. His 21st six off Robinson sailed over long-on, but in the next over, McAndrew had the final word. Louis Kimber’s record-breaking innings will be remembered as one of the greatest in County Championship history.

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