Surrey sign India superstar Virat Kohli to play county cricket in all formats from June
County were set to welcome Mitchell Marsh as their overseas star but he is now unavailable following ankle surgery
SURREY have signed India superstar Virat Kohli to play county cricket in all formats from June.
The county were set to welcome Mitchell Marsh as their overseas star but he is now unavailable following ankle surgery.
Instead, Surrey will bring in the world’s second-best Test batsman – and No1 ODI star – to the Oval in an incredible, high-profile move.
India captain Kohli, 29, brings a wealth of international experience with him to South London.
The classy, elegant batsman has played 66 Tests, averaging a phenomenal 53.40 with the bat.
On top of that, Kohli has played an outrageous 208 ODIs and 57 T20 internationals – averaging over 50 in the shorter formats as well.
The star batsman has notched 56 centuries on the international circuit, but is set for a baptism of fire in his first-ever stint in England’s county cricket.
On his move, Kohli revealed: “It’s long been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I’m thankful to Alec Stewart and Surrey for allowing me the opportunity.”
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With recently-retired Morne Morkel acting as a Kolpak player for the season, Surrey had one available spot for an overseas player to replace Dean Elgar, who will leave later this month.
Australian coach Michael Di Venuto had hinted he would look at banned trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, before opting for Kohli.
