Leicestershire confirmed on Tuesday that they have signed India batter Ajinkya Rahane for the 2023 season (January 31). This will be Rahane’s second stint in County cricket, following his appearance for Hampshire in 2019.
Rahane will be available for eight County Championship matches as he prepares to join the county following his stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Because he is currently out of favour with the national team, the 34-year-old will be available to play the entire One-Day Cup competition.
“I’m really happy to be joining Leicestershire for the upcoming season,” Rahane said. “I can’t wait to play alongside my new teammates and explore the vibrant city of Leicester.”
Rahane has appeared in 82 Tests for India, scoring nearly 5000 runs at a strike rate of 38.52. His most recent appearance for the national team came in January 2022 against South Africa, after which he was dropped. However, he was in good form recently in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 634 points in seven games for Mumbai.
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Ajinkya to Leicestershire,” Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson said. “He comes with a lot of experience and a tremendous work ethic. It’s a great opportunity for us to tap into that. I had conversations with (Assistant Coach) Alfonso Thomas and (Head Coach) Paul Nixon, who had eyed Ajinkya in the past, so he was always on our radar. It was a case of seeing what the team needed, which was definitely a senior overseas batsman, so we are delighted to have secured someone of Ajinkya’s calibre.”
