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Indian Players In County Cricket 2025 – County cricket has always been a great testing ground for players looking to sharpen their game in tough, competitive conditions. For Indian cricketers, it’s a golden opportunity to get used to English pitches, fine-tune their techniques, and build valuable experience ahead of big tournaments. In the 2025 season, there’s an exciting mix of experienced pros and rising stars flying the Indian flag across England’s domestic circuit. Let’s dive into what roles they’re playing, what’s expected of them, and how their presence could shape the bigger picture.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal
Role: Leg-spinner | Format: County Championship & One-Day Cup | Tenure: June–September 2025
Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s white-ball ace, is heading back to Northamptonshire for a second straight season. After lighting up the 2024 One-Day Cup with a standout 5-14 performance, he’s now switching gears to focus on red-ball cricket in 2025.
Chahal will link up with the squad in June, once his IPL run wraps up, and is set to play five County Championship Division 2 matches. This stint is a big deal for him, despite being a T20 World Cup winner, he’s only played 28 first-class games so far. It’s a rare chance to show he’s got the chops for the longer format.
Northamptonshire will be counting on him during the crucial middle overs, and the experience could be huge for sharpening his skills ahead of India’s Test tour of England later in 2025.
2. Jaydev Unadkat
Role: Left-arm pacer | Format: County Championship | Tenure: August–September 2025
Jaydev Unadkat, Sussex’s seasoned pro, is back for another County stint after a solid run in 2023–24. The Saurashtra skipper, a force in the Ranji Trophy, will feature in five Championship matches during the second half of the season.
Last year, he picked up 11 wickets at an average of 24.18, highlighted by a gritty 6-94 against Leicestershire. But it’s not just about the wickets. Unadkat’s mentorship is just as important. With Sussex rebuilding under fresh leadership, his experience guiding young bowlers is a big boost.
3. Shardul Thakur
Initial Plan: Essex’s all-rounder | Withdrawal Reason: IPL 2025 Replacement Role
Shardul Thakur’s County adventure with Essex barely got off the ground. He was originally set to play seven Championship matches, but pulled out after getting snapped up by Lucknow Super Giants as an injury replacement in the IPL 2025 auction.
It’s another reminder of the growing tug-of-war between franchise leagues and County cricket — a headache that’s only getting trickier for overseas players and clubs alike.
4. Yadvinder Singh
Role: Seamer | Format: All formats | Status: Transitioning to British Citizenship
The 28-year-old seamer, a product of the South Asian Cricket Academy, made headlines in 2024 as Worcestershire’s first Indian overseas signing. Though yet to play professionally, his 2025 season is uncertain due to an expected British passport, which would reclassify him as a local player. His journey symbolizes the growing pipeline of Indian-origin talent in England
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Indian stars like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravichandran Ashwin have turned to County cricket to rejuvenate their careers. Pujara, for example, piled up 1,743 runs at an average of 79.22 for Sussex between 2022–24, solidifying his spot in India’s Test lineup. Similarly, Prithvi Shaw’s explosive 244 in the 2023 One-Day Cup highlighted how County stints can help players regain form after injury.
2025’s Unique Angle: With India set to tour England for five Tests from June to August 2025, players like Chahal and Unadkat might use County games as a chance to audition for the national team. On the flip side, some Test squad members may skip County action to avoid burnout, leaving the door open for others to step up.