Essex have announced the signing of India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir for the remainder of the county season.
The 31-year-old, a veteran of 54 Tests for his country, comes into the Essex squad as a replacement for Hamish Rutherford as their overseas player for the rest of the campaign.
Gambhir, who will hope to make his Essex debut in the LV= County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Colchester which begins on Tuesday, was pleased to complete the move.
The batsman says he was on the lookout for somewhere to ply his trade for the end of the summer following the finale of the Indian Premier League and has thanked Essex for giving him the chance to play in England.
He said: “I am delighted to have this chance to make my county cricket debut with Essex. After the IPL ended I was looking to play some competitive cricket and playing for Essex will give me that opportunity.”
Essex head coach Paul Grayson believes the experienced Gambhir will be a great addition to their squad in the games that remain.
He said: “We are delighted with the signing of Gautam Gambhir and we very much welcome him to the club.
“Gautam is a player with real pedigree, which has been showcased on the biggest stages in world cricket.”
Rutherford, meanwhile, heads back to New Zealand after the Friends Life t20 Finals Day for pre-season training ahead of his country’s upcoming domestic and international matches.
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