Tilak Varma signs a short-term deal with Hampshire

Tilak Varma, the young Indian batter, has signed a short-term deal with Hampshire that will see him play four County Championship matches for them in June and July, reports https://www.espncricinfo.com.

Tilak, 22, has played four ODIs and 25 T20Is for India and impressed for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but has played only 18 first-class matches. He will look to build on a strong start to his red-ball career in England: he has already scored five first-class hundreds - including one for India A against New Zealand A - and averages 50.16 in the format.

Hampshire, who were acquired by the Indian conglomerate GMR Group last year, are seventh in Division One of the County Championship after a mixed start to the season. Tilak's arrival ahead of their game against Essex at Chelmsford on June 22 should help to bolster a batting line-up that has struggled since James Vince decided to quit red-ball cricket.

Hampshire had initially hoped that Dewald Brevis would be available for their two Championship fixtures at the end of June, but he will instead be with South Africa's Test squad in Zimbabwe.