Young Indian batter Tilak Varma is set to play in the English County Championship for the first time after signing a short-term deal with Hampshire. According to the media reports, the Hyderabad left-hander will feature in four red-ball matches between June 18 and August 2. The 22-year-old has been recognised as a rising all-format prospect for India. This county stint is expected to give him vital experience in red-ball cricket.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association confirmed his participation in an official statement. “"The Hyderabad Cricket Association is happy to inform that Hyderabad International player Mr. N Thakur Tilak Varma has been approached by the team Hampshire County to play in the UK County Championship League. The Hyderabad Cricket Association wishes him a great stint with Hampshire County," the HCA said in a statemen as quoted by Cricbuzz. The Hampshire have not officially confirmed the signing yet.
Tilak’s time with Hampshire will overlap with India’s Test series in England scheduled from June 20 to August 4. Although he is not part of the current Test squad, his county appearance could strengthen his case for future selections.
Tilak has played 18 First-Class matches and has scored 1,204 runs at an average of 50.16. His record includes five centuries and four fifties. His highest score is 121. He last played red-ball cricket during the 2024 Duleep Trophy. He made his India debut in 2023 and has played four ODIs and 25 T20Is since then. In the T20I format, he has scored 749 runs at an average of 49.93 with two centuries. In the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League, he scored 343 runs in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians. Despite a modest campaign, the young batter remains a key part of India’s limited-overs setup.
