R Sai Kishore, 29, has signed a six-match deal with Gloucestershire for the remainder of the 2026 County Championship season. The Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner returns to English domestic cricket for a second stint, having impressed during a brief but productive spell with Surrey last year.
The left-armer claimed 11 wickets across two appearances for Surrey in 2025, form that caught Gloucestershire’s attention as they hunt an improved run in the Championship. He arrives carrying a formidable first-class record, having taken 223 wickets at 24.21 in 54 matches, including 14 five-wicket hauls. The spinner was clear about what drew him to Bristol.
“I am deeply grateful to Jon and everyone at Gloucestershire for giving me this opportunity. Gloucestershire is a club with a rich history and a fantastic setup, and the chance to play my cricket here is incredibly exciting. I’ve always wanted to test my skills in English conditions, and after speaking with the management, I knew this was the right fit. I’m looking forward to wearing the jersey, meeting the fans at Bristol and Cheltenham, and doing my part,” said Sai Kishore as quoted by Cricinfo.
What did Jon Lewis say about the signing?
The signing comes as Gloucestershire navigate a difficult Championship campaign. The Bristol-based county have won just one of their first eight matches and are placed bottom of the Division Two table. Director of cricket Jon Lewis welcomed the left-armer with confidence.
“We’re really excited to bring Sai Kishore into the squad. He’s a proven, experienced cricketer who will add a huge amount to our group. The club is fully committed to playing better cricket over the final six County Championship matches, and it’ll be really interesting to see the impact an overseas spinner can have at this stage of the season. The conditions at this time of year are often very conducive to spin bowling, so we’re hopeful Sai can make a significant contribution and have a really positive impact on the team,” said Lewis.
Sai Kishore, who is also part of Gujarat Titans’ IPL setup, was a member of India’s Asian Games gold medal-winning side in 2023. He will be available for Gloucestershire from their County Championship fixture against Worcestershire at Cheltenham, which begins on August 20.
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