India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has officially withdrawn from his contract with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, just days before his anticipated debut in the English County Championship. Gaikwad was set to play his first match on July 22 against Surrey, but the club confirmed he will not join due to personal reasons.
Yorkshire Coach Reacts
Yorkshire’s head coach, Anthony McGrath, expressed disappointment over Gaikwad’s abrupt decision:
“Unfortunately Gaikwad’s not coming now for personal reasons. We’re not going to have him for Scarborough or for the rest of the season. So that’s disappointing.”
While no detailed explanation for Gaikwad’s withdrawal has been given, the club wished him well, hoping the matter is not serious.
Planned County Stint
- Gaikwad was signed to play five First-Class matches and several List A games for Yorkshire during the English summer.
- His absence is a major blow for Yorkshire’s season plans, as they had hoped to benefit from his experience and batting strength.
Recent Form and Injury Update
- Gaikwad last played competitive cricket on April 8, 2025, leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025 before being sidelined by an elbow injury.
- Despite traveling to England with the India A team, he did not participate in the unofficial Test matches against England Lions, only featuring in an intra-squad fixture before the series.
Batting Record Overview
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 38 | 2,632 | 41.77 | 7 |
| 2024-25 Domestic | 12 inns | 571 | N/A | 1 |
| IPL 2025 | 5 | 122 | 24.40 | 0 |
| India A (Aus Tour) | 4 | 20 | 5.00 | 0 |
Career Context
- Despite solid numbers in domestic cricket, Gaikwad is yet to cement a spot in India’s Test team.
- In white-ball cricket, his 2025 IPL season was cut short after scoring 122 runs in five games, and his form on the recent India A tour of Australia was below expectations.
What’s Next?
Yorkshire is left to re-strategize for the rest of the season, and Gaikwad’s future appearances will depend on his recovery and personal circumstances. For now, fans and teams alike await clarity on when he will return to competitive cricket.
