Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has signed to play in the second half of the county season with Leicestershire. He will be available for the One-Day Cup and five County Championship matches as well.

Rahane, however, was about to join Leicestershire last summer too before getting a recall to India’s Test team for the World Test Championship final as well. He then joined the Indian team and subsequently did not play for the county last year.

“We are thrilled to welcome someone of Ajinkya’s quality to Leicestershire,” Claude Henderson, Leicestershire’s director of cricket, said. “It was unfortunate that Ajinkya’s schedule didn’t quite work with ours last year, but it’s a massive boost to have secured his services for the business end of this season.”

“He holds immense experience and vital leadership qualities, which will be hugely beneficial to the team alongside his run-scoring ability. Ajinkya’s arrival also presents a fantastic opportunity for our batters to learn from one of the game’s best,” he further added.

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However, Ajinkya Rahane played both of India’s Tests last July but has not featured in the team since then. He has scored more than 13,000 runs in first-class cricket, which came at an average of 45.76, and another 6475 at 39.72 in List A as well.

Meanwhile, his arrival in mid-July will help the team amid the expected departure of South Africa allrounder Wiaan Mulder on international duty as well. This move will also help strengthen Leicestershire’s defence of the One-Day Cup that they memorably lifted last September as well.

Ajinkya Rahane said: “I’m really excited to have another opportunity to come to Leicestershire. I’ve built a strong rapport with Claude and [head coach] Alfonso [Thomas], and I’m looking forward to playing for the club this summer. I followed the team’s results last year and was very impressed with what I saw. I’m hoping to enjoy my cricket and contribute to more success for the club this season.”