Another Indian Star In County Cricket: Tilak Varma Joins Hampshire

NEW DELHI (IANS) – Indian batter Tilak Varma has signed with Hampshire for the ongoing County Championship season, marking his red-ball debut in English domestic cricket. The move was confirmed by the Hyderabad Cricket Association on June 11. 

Varma, 22, has represented India in four ODIs and 25 T20Is and was last seen in action during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 for Mumbai Indians on June 1. Though known for his white-ball skills, his first-class record is equally impressive — 1204 runs in 18 matches, including five centuries and four fifties. His most recent red-ball appearance came in the Duleep Trophy last September for India A. 

Hampshire, competing in Division One, currently hold a record of two wins, three draws, and two losses from seven matches. After a recent defeat to Sussex, the team is set to play Essex in Chelmsford from June 22–25, where Varma could potentially make his debut. 

His signing comes on the heels of another Indian cricketer joining county ranks — Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of Chennai Super Kings, was named Yorkshire’s latest overseas recruit on June 10. Gaikwad will join Yorkshire in July and remain with the club through the One-Day Cup, following a legacy of Indian players like Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and Cheteshwar Pujara who have featured for the county.