Sai Kishore Joins Surrey for County Championship
Indian spinner set for two-match stint in Division One.
R Sai Kishore, the Indian left-arm fingerspinner, is set to make his mark in the County Championship. He has signed with Surrey and will be available for two crucial first-class games late in July, adding depth to their squad.
Key Signing for Surrey
The 28-year-old Sai Kishore expressed enthusiasm about joining Surrey, calling them “one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.”
He has heard great things about their setup from various figures in the sport.
Surrey’s high-performance advisor, Alec Stewart, welcomed Sai Kishore, noting, “I’m delighted to bring the highly rated Sai Kishore into our squad for the next two Kookaburra games.”
He further added that reports from trusted sources in India speak highly of Sai Kishore’s leadership experience and strong four-day record for Tamil Nadu.
Potential Showdown
Sai Kishore’s debut, scheduled in Scarborough, could feature a face-off against his former Chennai Super Kings teammate, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who previously signed with Yorkshire. The match against Durham in Chester-le-Street from July 29 to August 1 will conclude his stint.
Impressive Credentials
Though this marks Sai Kishore’s first foray into county cricket, his T20 record speaks volumes. In the 2025 IPL, he was the second-highest wicket-taker among spinners, securing 19 wickets in 15 games for Gujarat Titans, with an economy rate of 9.24. Recently, he captained his club to victory in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) T20 title.
Daniel Vettori, former New Zealand captain and current Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach, praised Sai Kishore’s skills during the IPL.
“Sai Kishore has been the pick [of the spinners],”
—Daniel Vettori, Sunrisers Hyderabad Head Coach
Vettori also commended his bravery and ability to vary his pace and angle.
Red-Ball Record
Sai Kishore’s red-ball stats are also remarkable: he has taken 192 wickets in 46 first-class matches at an average of 23.51. During the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, he led the wicket charts, claiming 53 wickets in nine games, averaging 18.52, as Tamil Nadu advanced to the semi-finals. Notably, about 38% of professional cricketers suffer injuries each year, highlighting the physical demands of the sport (British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023).
Looking Ahead
This stint presents Sai Kishore with an opportunity to strengthen his case in red-ball cricket and prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 domestic season in India. He previously experienced English conditions in 2022 as a reserve player with the Indian side, even taking Cheteshwar Pujara’s wicket in a tour match.
With three County Championship titles under their belt, Surrey aims for a fourth consecutive victory. B Sai Sudharsan, Sai Kishore’s teammate at GT and Tamil Nadu, contributed to Surrey’s title wins in 2023 and 2024.
