RAVI ASHWIN’S arrival at Yorkshire this year comes with a relatively short-term deal, although the India spin legend admits he will land at Emerald Headingley with a long-term view.

Ashwin has signed for a minimum of eight Specsavers County Championship games from mid-summer onwards, following his commitments with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.

An off-spinning all-rounder with more international wickets than anyone else during the last decade (564 across all three formats), Ashwin arrives at his third county with a huge reputation.

He takes up the reins from early-season recruit Keshav Maharaj for the latest Division One campaign and is hoping to foster a strong tie with the White Rose county through his contributions both on and off the field.

Ashwin has previously played county cricket for Worcestershire (2017) and Nottinghamshire (2019), taking 54 wickets in nine matches added to 563 runs.

“I’ve played county cricket before, and this is probably the earliest I’ve signed with a club,” said the Chennai-born 33-year-old.

“I enjoy playing in the UK, so I’m really looking forward to coming north and playing well.

“Initially, I would have loved to have gone back to Worcester. I really enjoyed my stint there.

“But the year before I got injured and couldn’t get a contract. So last year I ended up going to Notts. I had a lot of fun there - it’s a great club.

“Now, having played two years with different clubs, it’s important for me to settle down and play for a particular club and attach myself there. I’m really looking forward to coming over to Yorkshire and seeing what can happen.

“As far as I’m concerned as both a cricketer and a person, I like a lot of stability. I just don’t turn up and play for the heck of it. The team means everything to me. So some sort of affinity will be very helpful.

“If I can get stability, that would be great. Having said that, the international schedule is so tight, it can be unfair to ask that of a club in return. But because I’m signing for a longer stint this year, hopefully after that it can work out for us if I’m only available for a shorter time.”

Ashwin has taken 362 wickets from 70 Tests since debuting in 2011. He is the fourth leading wicket-taker in Indian history, sitting behind Harbhajan Singh (417 from 103 Tests), Kapil Dev (434 from 131) and Anil Kumble (619 from 132).

He revealed last week in the club’s press release announcing his signing that following in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar and playing for the county was a “wonderful feeling”.

“I haven’t spoken to Sachin, but I have spoken to (Cheteshwar) Pujara about Yorkshire,” he revealed. “He and I go back a long way, right back to about 14. He mentioned to me that it’s a lovely club.

“Yorkshire has a rich tradition with Indian players.

“Right now, where it stands, county cricket is looked upon in India as a chance to learn for all the players here - even if you have played international cricket. I get a lot of interest from junior cricketers who want to play in England because it provides massive exposure.

“To get a contract with a club like Yorkshire is something a lot of young cricketers would die for because of the rich history in county cricket and Yorkshire standing at the top of it.”