Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has stepped in to replace India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad at County Championship side Yorkshire for the remainder of the season.
A Sudden Change of Plans
The news broke after Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad unexpectedly pulled out of his County deal with Yorkshire. He was set to make his debut on Tuesday but opted out due to personal reasons.
Yorkshire’s head coach, Anthony McGrath, expressed his disappointment. “Unfortunately, Gaikwad’s not coming now for personal reasons,” McGrath stated. “We’re not going to have him for Scarborough or for the rest of the season. That’s disappointing.”
He added that while the specific reasons remain private, the club hopes everything is okay with Gaikwad. This last-minute decision left Yorkshire scrambling for a replacement just days before a crucial match.
Imam Steps Up for Yorkshire
In response to the urgent need, Yorkshire quickly secured the services of Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq. The left-handed opener will join the squad immediately, just in time for their upcoming clash against Surrey at Scarborough.
Imam is no stranger to English County cricket, having previously played for Somerset in the County Championship in 2022. His prior experience in these conditions will be a significant asset to the team.
Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket, shared the club’s enthusiasm. “We’re delighted that Imam has joined us and that he will be available immediately,” Hamilton said. “While we were naturally disappointed that Ruturaj couldn’t join up with the squad, in Imam, we have an exceptional player of proven international quality.”
Gaikwad’s Recent Struggles
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s withdrawal comes amidst a challenging period for the Indian opener. He had been sidelined since April 8 after suffering a fractured elbow while captaining Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 season.
Despite being named in the India A squad for the England tour, Gaikwad remained benched for both matches against the England Lions. This suggests he might still be managing his recovery or form.
While known for his impressive white-ball statistics, Gaikwad’s First-Class record has been mixed. He averages 41.77, scoring 2632 runs in 38 matches. His performance during the India A tour to Australia last year was particularly tough, managing only 20 runs across four innings.
In the 2024-25 domestic season in India, Gaikwad tallied 571 runs in 12 innings, including one century. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but Yorkshire hopes Imam-ul-Haq can fill the void effectively.
- Imam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s opener, has joined Yorkshire for the County Championship.
- He replaces India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, who withdrew due to personal reasons.
- Imam has previous County experience with Somerset in 2022.
- Gaikwad has been recovering from a fractured elbow and has had a mixed First-Class record recently.
This swift replacement highlights the dynamic nature of professional cricket. Yorkshire will be eager to see Imam-ul-Haq make an immediate impact as they navigate the remainder of the County Championship season.
