Mukesh Kumar signs for Nottinghamshire in last two County Championship games
Synopsis
Mukesh Kumar becomes the first Indian domestic cricketer to represent an English county for the first time, signing with Nottinghamshire for the closing two games of the 2026 County Championship — arriving fresh from a title-winning Duleep Trophy Final. Senior pacer Mohammed Shami is reportedly in talks for a similar deal.
Key Takeaways
Mukesh Kumar , 32, has signed with Nottinghamshire for the final two matches of the 2026 County Championship season.
This is the first time Mukesh will represent a domestic team outside India .
He carries a first-class record of 233 wickets in 61 matches at an average of 21.79 , with ten five-wicket hauls .
Mukesh arrives match-ready after helping East Zone win the Duleep Trophy Final in Chennai .
Senior pacer Mohammed Shami is reportedly also in discussions for a late-season county deal.
India fast bowler Mukesh Kumar has signed with Nottinghamshire for the final two matches of the 2026 County Championship season, the English county club confirmed on Monday, 14 September 2026. The signing marks the first time the 32-year-old seamer will represent a domestic team outside India, and comes at a critical juncture in Nottinghamshire's season-end run-in.
Key Details of the Signing
Mukesh arrives at Trent Bridge with considerable credentials: 233 wickets in 61 first-class matches at an average of 21.79, including ten five-wicket hauls. His career-best match figures of 10 for 50 came for Bengal against Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in February 2024. At the international level, he has taken 32 wickets across 26 appearances for India, including three Test matches.
Arriving Match-Ready from Duleep Trophy
Notably, Mukesh heads to England on the back of a strong showing in the Duleep Trophy Final in Chennai, where he played a pivotal role in helping East Zone clinch the title. Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores underlined how much that competitive rhythm matters. 'We're really excited to get Mukesh over at what is a crucial time of the season. He comes straight off the back of a really competitive game in the Duleep Trophy Final, in which he was on the winning team and played a pivotal role in securing the win for East Zone,' Moores said.
'Mukesh's quality as a bowler is not in question, knowing how hard it is to compete to play in the Indian team. It's fantastic for us to get a player who's match-ready and in full competitive mode ahead of two big games for the club,' Moores added.
Mukesh Kumar on the County Move
The seamer, who turns out for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, expressed enthusiasm about his first overseas county stint. 'I am really pleased to sign for Nottinghamshire at an important time in the season. I can't wait to arrive in England and test myself in county cricket. I want to contribute as much as I can while I am here to help Nottinghamshire to success, and I am looking forward to working with the coaches and my new teammates,' Mukesh said in a statement.
He added: 'Coming to England is always a good challenge, and I am excited by the chance to play for a new team in new conditions. I will give everything while I am part of Nottinghamshire, and I hope together, we can be successful.'
Mohammed Shami Signing Also Possible
This comes amid broader interest in Indian pacers featuring in the County Championship's closing stages. Senior India seamer Mohammed Shami is also reportedly in discussions over a late-season deal with a county side, according to earlier reports. If confirmed, the two India pace stalwarts could feature in English conditions within the same fortnight — an unusual and noteworthy crossover between domestic Indian cricket and the English county circuit.
With Nottinghamshire's two remaining fixtures set to define their final standings, Mukesh's arrival strengthens a bowling attack that will need incisive seam bowling to make an impact in English conditions.
Point of View
Long a rite of passage for Indian batters, is increasingly attractive for pacers who need red-ball rhythm outside the IPL cycle. What is worth watching is whether short two-game stints — however competitive — provide enough exposure to genuinely move the needle on overseas adaptability, or whether they remain high-profile auditions with limited developmental payoff. The Shami subplot adds intrigue: if India's premier swing bowler also signs, it signals that the BCCI and county clubs are quietly building a pipeline that could shape India's red-ball bench strength heading into future overseas tours.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Mukesh Kumar signed for Nottinghamshire?
Mukesh Kumar has signed with Nottinghamshire to play the final two matches of the 2026 County Championship season, boosting their bowling attack during a crucial run-in period. It is also his first time representing a domestic team outside India, offering him valuable experience in English conditions.
What is Mukesh Kumar's first-class record?
Mukesh Kumar has taken 233 wickets in 61 first-class matches at an average of 21.79, including ten five-wicket hauls. His career-best match figures of 10 for 50 came for Bengal against Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in February 2024.
Will Mohammed Shami also play county cricket in 2026?
Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami is reportedly in discussions to sign a late-season county deal, according to earlier reports, though no official confirmation has been made. If confirmed, both Shami and Mukesh would feature in the County Championship's closing rounds.
Who is Nottinghamshire's head coach and what did he say about the signing?
Nottinghamshire's head coach is Peter Moores, who welcomed Mukesh's arrival, highlighting his match-readiness after the Duleep Trophy Final and the difficulty of earning a place in the Indian national team as markers of quality. Moores described the signing as 'fantastic' ahead of two big games for the club.
What did Mukesh Kumar say about joining Nottinghamshire?
Mukesh Kumar said he was 'really pleased' to sign for Nottinghamshire and expressed eagerness to test himself in county cricket. He described playing in England as 'always a good challenge' and pledged to give his all to help the club succeed.
