Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad’s much-anticipated County Championship debut ended before it began, as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper pulled out of his five-match deal with Yorkshire citing personal reasons. He did it on July 19. Gaikwad was slated to make his debut on July 22 against reigning champions Surrey at Scarborough but informed the club of his unavailability just days before the match.
The 28-year-old had agreed to feature in Yorkshire’s final stretch of the 2025 season as he sought much-needed red-ball exposure after missing the IPL due to injury and being left out of India’s Test squad. However, his unexpected withdrawal left the county frantically searching for a replacement, with head coach Anthony McGrath pointing out that his side might be in a limbo.
Yorkshire turns to Imam-ul-Haq after Gaikwad exit
In response to Gaikwad’s exit, Yorkshire have turned their attention to Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq. According to a report from The Cricketer, the club is in advanced discussions with the left-hander to fill the vacancy left by the Indian batter.
Imam is no stranger to English conditions. He had a brief but effective stint with Somerset in 2022, where he played four matches to help the side avoid relegation. He impressed immediately, scoring 90 runs on debut against Gloucestershire.
The 28-year-old brings considerable experience to the table. In 24 Tests for Pakistan, Imam has scored 1,568 runs at an average of 37.33, with 3 hundreds and 9 fifties. His first-class record is even stronger with 5,453 runs in 84 matches, including 15 centuries and a highest score of 202 not out. Yorkshire will begin their Division One fixture against Surrey on July 22 at North Marine Road in Scarborough, and if finalised in time, Imam-ul-Haq could slot straight into the playing XI and open with Adam Lyth.
