In a stunning turn of events just days after Virat Kohli’s emotional retirement from Test cricket, Middlesex County Cricket Club has thrown its hat into the ring, aiming to lure the Indian cricketing legend to England for the County Championship or the Metro Bank Cup, the nation’s premier domestic one-day tournament.
As reported by The Guardian, Middlesex, known for their history of signing global superstars like AB de Villiers and Kane Williamson, are eager to start talks with Kohli. While BCCI-contracted players are restricted from participating in overseas T20 leagues such as The Hundred and T20 Blast, Kohli is free to play first-class and List A cricket in England, a path previously taken by some Indian players.
Middlesex Eyes Kohli for County Cricket Stint
Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s director of cricket, didn’t hold back his enthusiasm, stating, “Virat Kohli is the most iconic player of his generation, so of course we’re interested in having that conversation.”
Kohli’s ties to London further fuel the speculation—his reported ownership of a home in the city could make a stint with the Lord’s-based club more seamless. If the deal goes through, it would undoubtedly be one of Middlesex’s most monumental overseas signings in history. Kohli, who has yet to score a century at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, could seize this opportunity to etch his name into its storied history.
Interestingly, this isn’t Kohli’s first brush with English county cricket. Back in 2018, Surrey came close to securing his signature ahead of India’s tour of England. However, a neck injury forced him to pull out, leaving the deal unfulfilled.
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