Virat Kohli Middlesex rumour, English County Championship buzz? All you need to know

In what could be one of the most high-profile signings in County cricket in recent years, Middlesex County Cricket Club has reportedly expressed interest in bringing Virat Kohli to play in the English County Championship or the Metro Bank Cup later this year.

Buzz in this regard comes even after the 36-year-old former India captain’s recent retirement from international Test cricket, suggesting that his red-ball journey might not be completely over.

The Lord’s connection and a historic possibility

According to a report in The Guardian, Middlesex is eager to secure Kohli’s services for the later stages of their Division Two campaign, particularly fixtures scheduled at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in September.

The county side has only one domestic one-day fixture at Lord’s in August, but they hope that Kohli’s enduring passion for red-ball cricket and his strong ties to London may sway the decision.

Middlesex’s Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, seemingly confirmed the interest, stating, “Virat Kohli is the most iconic player of his generation, so of course we are interested in having that conversation.”

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A past ambition, a fresh opportunity

Notably, this wouldn’t be Kohli’s first brush with English county cricket. He had previously signed a deal with Surrey in 2018, ahead of India’s tour of England, but a neck injury forced him to withdraw.

Ironically, Kohli went on to have a stellar Test series against England, which saw him named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year.

Now, with Middlesex chasing promotion and having already roped in Kane Williamson for the season, the prospect of Kohli joining forces with the New Zealand captain presents an enticing scenario for cricket fans globally.

Further, there is also the added spice of a potential clash with James Anderson, as Middlesex face Lancashire at Old Trafford during the final round.

What’s possible and what’s not

Due to his ongoing contract with the BCCI, Kohli is ineligible to play in T20 competitions abroad, such as The Hundred or the T20 Blast. However, red-ball and one-day domestic matches fall outside that ban, making the County Championship and Metro Bank Cup viable formats.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which manages Lord’s, is reportedly open to splitting the cost of a short-term deal, much like previous collaborations that brought stars like AB de Villiers to English domestic cricket.

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Home advantage off the field

Kohli’s London residence, shared with wife Anushka Sharma and their two children, offers logistical convenience, strengthening the feasibility of a short-term agreement. Given his previous expressions of interest in experiencing County cricket and the allure of playing again at Lord’s, this move may well be more than a rumour.