Ajinkya Rahane will fly to England once the two-game friendly series between India and the West Indies comes to an end next month. Rahane will reportedly return to Leicestershire for the remainder of the County Championship and Royal London Cup.

Veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane will play county cricket in England after completing his two Tests with the Indian side against the West Indies.

Leicestershire signed him earlier this year and were due to play eight first class games at the Royal London Club (a 50-over national competition) from June to September after IPL 2023.

Rahane, a former India captain, recently made a successful comeback for the Indian side in the Test World Cup final against Australia earlier this month. Rahane had signed with Leicestershire back in January and, after completing his IPL stint with the Chennai Super Kings, was set to play eight first class games between June and September, as well as the entire Royal London Cup (domestic 50 times-over competition).

However, the plan had to be put on hold as he made a comeback for the Indian Test team and was unable to join his county side immediately after the IPL ended.

“Ajinkya is scheduled to fly straight to England after the two Tests in the West Indies (due to end on July 24) and join Leicestershire for the remainder of the season. He will play the Royal London Cup in August and possibly four county games in September as he is unlikely to be part of the white ball plan," a BCCI source familiar with the matter told PTI on condition of anonymity.

This will be Rahane's second county appearance after playing for Hampshire in the 2019 season when he was dropped from the 50-over World Cup squad.

While most of India's top players will shift their focus to 50 rather than cricket, Rahane will have more time for red ball games throughout September before returning to India for the full Indian national season, followed by a tour of South Africa in December.