Ruturaj Gaikwad Withdraws from Yorkshire; Imam-ul-Haq Named Replacement. Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has withdrawn from Yorkshire’s squad for the County Championship and One-Day Cup 2025 due to personal reasons. Ruturaj Gaikwad was scheduled to make his county debut this season after signing a deal with the club to feature in the remaining County Championship matches and the upcoming One-Day Cup.
In his absence, Yorkshire has roped in Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement. The experienced left-handed opener has represented Pakistan in 24 Tests and 75 ODIs. In first-class cricket, Imam has accumulated 5,453 runs from 84 matches at an average of 43.27, while in List A cricket, he has scored 4,643 runs in 115 games at an average of 44.21.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Yorkshire GM Praises Imam-ul-Haq’s Inclusion Ahead of County Championship Clash
Yorkshire general manager Gavin Hamilton expressed his excitement about signing Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq for the remainder of the domestic season. Welcoming him to the squad, Hamilton highlighted Imam’s international pedigree and prior experience in English county cricket.
“Although it was disappointing that Ruturaj Gaikwad couldn’t be part of the squad, Imam brings proven international quality. He’s an exceptional player with a strong track record and already has experience in domestic cricket here in England, which will be invaluable for the important run of matches ahead,” Hamilton said.
Ruturaj Gaikwad further appreciated the swift nature of Imam’s arrival, saying, “We’re thankful for how quickly he joined up with the team, and everyone at the Club is eager to work with him for the rest of the season.”
Yorkshire are set to take on Surrey in their upcoming County Championship 2025 fixture, starting July 22 at North Marine Road Ground in Scarborough.
Currently, Yorkshire sit eighth on the points table out of 10 teams. They’ve managed two wins and four losses from nine games, with three draws, accumulating a total of 91 points.
