Ravichandran Ashwin Joins Surrey For County Match Ahead Of England Tests

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took to Twitter and posted a video saying that it was his absolute privilege playing for the Surrey team ahead of the English county championship match against Somerset starting on Sunday at the Oval.

Ashwin is part of the Indian squad that is currently in the UK and has cut short his leisure break after playing in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand, in order to get some match practice under his belt and will be seen playing for Surrey in their group 2 match of the ongoing county championship.

I Am So Privileged To Be Having The Surrey Badge On: Ravichandran Ashwin

Surrey confirmed that Ravichandran Ashwin will be playing for the county against Somerset on their official website after naming him in the squad for the crucial match. The contest will give Ashwin valuable match practice before the five-Test series against India starting August 4. The Oval will host the fourth game of the India-England series.

“Indian all-rounder Ravi Ashwin will join the group for this match only. Sean Abbott was originally expected to be Surrey’s second overseas player in this fixture, alongside Hashim Amla, but a hamstring injury sustained during the LV= County Championship meeting with Gloucestershire ended his time at The Kia Oval early,” Surrey posted on their website.

“Ashwin had remained in the country following India’s World Test Championship final last month. He will meet up with India’s Test squad following this match ahead of their Test series with England, which is not due to start until the 4th August. The fourth match of that series will be played at The Kia Oval between 2nd – 6th September, still more than seven weeks away,” the statement read.

Meanwhile Ravichandran Ashwin, in a video posted on Surrey Cricket Twitter account said,” I am so privileged to be having the badge on. I have heard and wondered what the London counties are all about. Even though it’s only for a game, I am delighted to share this dressing room.”

? Hi, @ashwinravi99!

"It's my absolute privilege to play for Surrey"

A live stream of Surrey's meeting with Somerset will be available at 11am BST on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Oqf3kTZiwA

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 10, 2021

Surrey squad for the match against Somerset:

Rory Burns (c), Hashim Amla. Ravichandran Ashwin, Jordan Clark, Rikki Clarke, Ben Geddes, Conor McKerr, Daniel Moriarty, Jamie Overton, Ryan Patel, Jamie Smith, Mark Stoneman, Amar Virdi

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