Superstar Kohli signs for Surrey
Surrey have completed the signing of India captain Virat Kohli in one of the biggest coups in recent county history. Kohli, cricket’s biggest global star, will play for Surrey in June on a one-month deal. The 29-year-old’s first domestic deal on foreign soil is the latest example of a relaxation in attitude from India’s cricket bosses. They have also allowed Cheteshwar Pujara (yorkshire), Ishant Sharma (Sussex) and Varun Aaron (Leicestershire) to play in england this year. Kohli (right) averages more than 50 in all three formats for India and is ranked the top one-day batsman in the world. But his record in this country is substantially worse and he will hope a county stint helps him acclimatise ahead of India’s tour of england this summer. ‘It has long been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I am thankful to (director of cricket) Alec Stewart and Surrey for allowing me the opportunity to join them during their 2018 season,’ said Kohli. ‘I can’t wait to get to The Kia Oval.’ Former england captain Stewart said: ‘We are thrilled to have signed the biggest name in world cricket. Playing and training alongside Virat will be a massive benefit for our players, who will have the opportunity to learn so much from him. At a time when there is much discussion around the future of county cricket, the arrival of Virat should give our domestic game a massive boost and positive exposure around the world.’ Kohli will be available for three royal London One-Day Cup games and three Specsavers County Championship fixtures. He averages just 13.40 from five Test appearances in england, a drop of exactly 40 on his career mark. In ODIs, his average here sits at 32.33 versus an overall figure of 58.10. england will host India in three T20s, three ODIs and five Tests from July to September. Jonathan Trott will retire at the end of the season after 16 years at Warwickshire. The 37-year-old played the last of his 52 Tests for england in 2015. He averaged 44.08 and won three Ashes series. Trott has scored 17,750 first-class runs.