India left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore has signed with Gloucestershire for the final six matches of the 2026 County Championship season, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Tamil Nadu spinner will bolster Gloucestershire's bowling attack as the English county season enters its closing stretch.

When He Plays and Where

Kishore will be available for selection from Gloucestershire's Championship fixture against Worcestershire at Cheltenham, scheduled to begin on Thursday, 20 August. The late-summer conditions at Cheltenham and Bristol are widely regarded as favourable for spin bowling, a factor that reportedly influenced the club's decision to recruit an overseas spinner at this stage.

What Kishore Said

'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,' Kishore said in a statement issued by the club.

'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,' he added.

His Domestic and County Record

Kishore has built a formidable reputation as one of India's leading red-ball spinners in domestic cricket. Across 54 first-class appearances, he has claimed 223 wickets, including 14 five-wicket hauls. He previously featured in the County Championship with Surrey in 2025, taking 11 wickets in just two games — a return that underlines his ability to adapt to English pitches.

Beyond red-ball cricket, Kishore has taken 33 wickets in 28 Indian Premier League (IPL) appearances, though his 2026 IPL campaign with the Gujarat Titans was limited to three matches. He was also part of India's gold medal-winning squad at the 2023 Asian Games.

What Gloucestershire's Management Said

Jon Lewis, Gloucestershire's head coach and former England women's head coach, welcomed the acquisition 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,' Lewis said.

'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,' he added.

With Gloucestershire looking to finish the season on a stronger note, Kishore's arrival signals the club's intent to challenge in the remaining rounds — and gives the spinner another valuable opportunity to press his case on the international radar.