India batter Tilak Varma is set to join Hampshire County Cricket Club for a short spell, having been approached for a four-match engagement in the County Championship. Although the contract is yet to be formally signed, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) have granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC), clearing the way for his participation.
In an official statement, the HCA said, “The Hyderabad Cricket Association is pleased to announce that international cricketer Mr. N Thakur Tilak Varma has been approached by Hampshire County to play in the County Championship in the United Kingdom. We wish him every success during his stint.”
Hampshire, currently placed seventh in Division One after an inconsistent start to the season, are hoping Tilak’s arrival will strengthen their batting line-up. The left-handed batter is expected to be available for the side’s fixture against Essex at Chelmsford on 22 June.
The 22-year-old batter has already played 25 T20Is and four ODIs for India, amassing 749 and 68 runs respectively, but hasn’t made his Test debut yet. In first-class cricket, Tilak has made an impressive start to his career, scoring 1204 runs in 18 first-class appearances for Hyderabad at an average exceeding 50, including five centuries—one of which came against New Zealand A.
Tilak’s impending move follows closely on the heels of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s county signing, reflecting a growing trend among Indian players seeking county experience to refine their red-ball skills.