The head coach of Yorkshire has spoken to address speculation and clarify the circumstances around Indian batsman Ruturaj Gikwad. County ChampionshipA few days before its much awaited start against Surrey in Scarborough.
Ruturaj Gikwad’s return Rocks Yorkshire
In a step that surprised the English domestic cricket community, Ruturaj GikwadChennai Super Kings (CSK) and Maharashtra Captain, suddenly pulled out of his first county tenure with Yorkshire, citing personal reasons with Yorkshire. The decision was reported to Yorkshire to struggle against his important county championship champion Surrey only a few days ago, leaving the club to find a replacement.
Yorkshire had signed Gaikwad for the magic of the five matches starting on July 22, and his experience was expected to strengthen his staggering campaign. Gikwad, 28, expressed enthusiasm about joining the English county earlier, said, said, “It has always been my goal to experience cricket in this country and there is no big club in England than Yorkshire.”
Anthony McGrath clarified Gikwad’s stand
Addressing the increasing speculation, the head coach of Yorkshire Anthony mcgrath On Friday, he went to clean the wind.
“Unfortunately Gaikwad is no longer coming for personal reasons. We are not going to him for Scarborough or for the rest of the season. So it is disappointing. I can’t tell you anything about those reasons, but we hope that everything is fine. We have really discovered,McGrath said during a press briefing.
McGrath strictly emphasized the individual nature of Gaikwad’s return, refused to expand on the nuances. He said that time has put Yorkshire in a difficult position as they run against the clock to identify a suitable replacement foreign player.
“We are working behind the curtain what we can do. But it’s only two or three days away, so I am not sure what we can do at this time. The pressure of time is the issue. I can’t give you anything more than this at the moment,” McGrath said.
Yorkshire, currently at the eighth place in the County Championship Standing, is now facing a challenging period before a significant stability. The last minute change has disrupted his plans, but McGrath confirmed that the county is “Working to try and get a possible replacement” As time is short.
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Gaikwad’s recent injury crisis
Gikwad, who enjoyed a memorable run Indian Premier League (IPL) But in 2025, the first elbow was shortened by fracture, out of competitive cricket for several months. He was later nominated in a team for a tour of England in India, but both lived on the bench for informal trials.
Full fitness and his return to the county deal was considered an important opportunity for Gikwad that they increase their red ball credibility, especially keeping in mind a possible testing space. He has scored 2,632 runs in 38 first -class matches, including 41.77 on an average, including seven centuries. However, continuous injuries and now this return has limited its recent game time.
Also read: MS Dhoni opens on his IPL future and confirms Ruturaj Gikwad as CSK captain for 2026
