Gambhir replaces Kiwi player Hamish Rutherford in debut Essex season

Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has reportedly joined English county side Essex and will play there for the remainder of the season.

According to Sport24, the left-handed opener will replace New Zealand's Hamish Rutherford as Essex's overseas player and will likely make his debut for the club in their County Championship match against Northamptonshire, starting on August 20.

The report further said that Rutherford is due to return home after Saturday's Twenty20 finals day ahead of New Zealand's domestic and international competitions.

Expressing his delight at making his county debut with Essex, Gambhir, who has scored 4, 021 Test runs at an average of 44.18, stated that after the end of this season's Indian Premier League (IPL), he was looking to play some competitive cricket, adding that playing for Essex will give him that opportunity

Gambhir also expressed his gratitude to Essex for giving him the option to play, and to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allowing him to participate in county cricket, adding that he hoped that he could make some meaningful contributions to the county in the ongoing season.