Sai Kishore returns to county cricket with Gloucestershire deal

Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore will return to county cricket after signing for Gloucestershire for the final six matches of the 2026 County Championship season. The 29-year-old will be available from Gloucestershire's Championship fixture against Worcestershire at Cheltenham, starting on August 20, before subsequent games against Derbyshire and Middlesex at Bristol and away fixtures against Durham, Lancashire and Kent.

Sai Kishore said the opportunity to experience English conditions again was a key factor behind the move.

"I am deeply grateful to Jon and everyone at Gloucestershire for giving me this opportunity. Gloucestershire is a club with a rich history and a fantastic setup, and the chance to play my cricket here is incredibly exciting.

"I've always wanted to test my skills in English conditions, and after speaking with the management, I knew this was the right fit. I'm looking forward to wearing the jersey, meeting the fans at Bristol and Cheltenham, and doing my part."

Gloucestershire head coach Jon Lewis believes the Tamil Nadu spinner's experience will bolster the side during the closing stages of the season.

"We're really excited to bring Sai Kishore into the squad. He's a proven, experienced cricketer who will add a huge amount to our group. The Club is fully committed to playing better cricket over the final six County Championship matches, and it'll be really interesting to see the impact an overseas spinner can have at this stage of the season.

"The conditions at this time of year are often very conducive to spin bowling, so we're hopeful Sai can make a significant contribution and have a really positive impact on the team," Lewis added.

Sai Kishore has taken 223 wickets in 54 first-class matches for Tamil Nadu, including 14 five-wicket hauls and 11 four-wicket hauls.

He previously featured in the County Championship with Surrey in 2025, where he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the competition during an away win over Durham.