NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane will not play for English county team Leicestershire as originally anticipated because he wants to take a break from cricket following his busy international schedule, the club announced.
Due to more extensive international responsibilities, the arrival of the 35-year-old Rahane, who was supposed to join the county club in June, was delayed. After the IPL, he immediately took a flight to England for the World Test Championship final before departing for India's Test trip of the West Indies this month.
Rahane has now stated a wish to take a break from cricket during August and September, thus he will not play for Leicestershire as scheduled, according to the club. Those involvements were previously not taken into account in his itinerary.
"Firstly, we are fully understanding of Ajinkya's situation. He has experienced a hectic schedule in recent months, both in India and travelling with the national team, and we accept his wishes to recover and spend some time with his family," Director of Cricket Claude Henderson said in a statement issued by the club.
"We have been in constant communication with Ajinkya and accept how situations can change quickly in cricket. He is extremely grateful for our understanding and still hopes to play for Leicestershire one day."
Australian Peter Handscomb will replace Rahane. Handscomb has extended his stay with the Foxes to feature in next month's Metro Bank One Day Cup.
"Thankfully, we had planned for a situation like this, and we are delighted Peter is staying on with the team. He brings many qualities alongside his batting and wicketkeeping, including strong leadership, which is a massive help to Lewis (Hill) and the rest of the guys in our changing room," Henderson said.
(With PTI inputs)
