Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has withdrawn from his five-match County Championship engagement with Yorkshire just days before the squad’s clash against reigning champion Surrey.
The 28-year-old was scheduled to debut at North Marine Road on July 22 and stay with the team through the end of the season.
Gaikwad, who leads Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and captains Maharashtra in the domestic Ranji Trophy, opted out for unspecified personal reasons. Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath confirmed the development, saying, “Unfortunately, Gaikwad’s not coming now for personal reasons. We hope everything is okay, and we’re working to find a possible replacement under tight time pressure.”
While the exact nature of the withdrawal remains undisclosed, the timing has left Yorkshire with limited options ahead of the tenth round. Gaikwad’s absence adds to the challenges for Yorkshire as they navigate squad strategies and match preparations.
Gaikwad recently returned from an elbow injury sustained during IPL 2025, where he participated in only five matches. His County Championship appearance was anticipated to mark a comeback in longer-format cricket, making his withdrawal all the more unexpected.
Yorkshire officials have yet to announce a replacement for the India batter, with the upcoming Scarborough fixture just days away.
