Tilak Varma Joins Hampshire for County Championship Stint

Young Indian batsman Tilak Varma has inked a short-term deal with Hampshire County Cricket Club to participate in four County Championship matches during June and July, according to reports from the Indian media on Wednesday.

Reports indicate the 22-year-old will be available for a brief period, with his confirmed appearance slated against Essex in Chelmsford on June 22.

Tilak has played for India in four ODIs and 25 T20Is. He gained recognition through his consistent performance for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Despite his success in white-ball cricket, his first-class experience is somewhat limited, with only 18 matches played. However, he has demonstrated promise in red-ball cricket, achieving five centuries, one of which was for India A against New Zealand A, and maintaining a first-class average of 50.16.

Varma’s inclusion is timely for Hampshire, as they aim to bolster their batting lineup after James Vince’s retirement from red-ball cricket.

Tilak will not participate in the T20 Blast, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) restricts active Indian male players from playing in overseas T20 leagues.

With this agreement, Tilak joins the increasing number of Indian players participating in the County Championship this season.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is scheduled to join Yorkshire for the latter half of the summer, while Yuzvendra Chahal is anticipated to return to Northamptonshire later in the month.

Hampshire’s Director of Cricket, Giles White, has verified that the club is in ‘advanced discussions’ to secure additional replacements for players like Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who will also be absent for a portion of the T20 Blast due to national team selections.