Star Indian batter Mayank Agarwal is set to embark on his maiden County Championship stint, signing with Yorkshire for three matches ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Karnataka skipper will link up with the side before their clash against Somerset at Taunton, beginning September 8.
Agarwal, 34, will return to India after this short spell to lead Karnataka in domestic cricket. His inclusion adds experience to Yorkshire’s batting unit, and the stint offers him a valuable opportunity to sharpen his technique in English conditions, where he has previously toured but never batted in competitive first-class cricket.
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The right-handed opener has a wealth of first-class experience, amassing 8,050 runs in 190 innings at an impressive average of around 44, including 18 centuries. Internationally, Agarwal has represented India in 21 Tests, scoring 1,488 runs at an average of 41.33, highlighted by a career-best 243 against South Africa. His last Test appearance came in February 2023 against Sri Lanka at Bengaluru.
Mayank Agarwal will play Yorkshire’s last three matches of the County Championship season before returning to India in time for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy
Details: https://t.co/2ep7hXLYsk pic.twitter.com/dO45JvnzIQ
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 4, 2025
Earlier this year, Agarwal led Karnataka to a Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 651 runs in 10 matches at a staggering average of 93. In contrast, Karnataka struggled in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, managing only three wins in seven games.
Agarwal was last seen in action at the Maharaja T20 Trophy and also featured in the IPL, playing a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign as a replacement for Devdutt Padikkal.
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With this County stint, Agarwal aims to gain valuable exposure ahead of a busy domestic season, as Karnataka looks to bounce back strongly in the Ranji Trophy. His move also underlines a growing trend of Indian players turning to county cricket to fine-tune their skills in challenging conditions.
