Gloucestershire Secure Sai Kishore for Six-Match County Championship Stint

Left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore has agreed a six-match deal with Gloucestershire for the remainder of the 2026 County Championship season. The 29-year-old Tamil Nadu bowler returns to the English domestic circuit for a second spell, having made a significant impression during a brief stint with Surrey in 2025.

During two appearances for Surrey last year, Sai Kishore claimed 11 wickets, form that prompted Gloucestershire to act as they seek to revive a challenging campaign. He arrives at Bristol with a formidable first-class resume, boasting 223 wickets at an average of 24.21 across 54 matches, including 14 five-wicket hauls.

“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,”

The acquisition comes at a critical juncture for the county. Gloucestershire have managed just one victory in their opening eight fixtures and sit rooted to the bottom of the Division Two table. Director of Cricket Jon Lewis expressed confidence that the overseas signing can provide a timely spark.

“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,”

Sai Kishore, a member of the Gujarat Titans squad in the Indian Premier League and part of India’s gold medal-winning Asian Games side in 2023, will be eligible for selection starting with Gloucestershire’s fixture against Worcestershire at Cheltenham, which commences on August 20.

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