Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad's eagerly anticipated County Championship debut was over before it had even begun, as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings withdrew from his five-match contract with Yorkshire on personal grounds. He made the decision on July 19. Gaikwad was due to debut on July 22 against Surrey, the reigning champions, at Scarborough but informed the club that he would not be available just days away from the match. The 28-year-old had joined Yorkshire for its last games of the 2025 season to get more experience in red-ball cricket. He had missed the IPL previously because of injury and was also omitted from India's Test squad. His last-minute withdrawal left Yorkshire scrambling to find a replacement, with head coach Anthony McGrath admitting the club was in a tricky situation. The Yorkshire County Cricket Club can confirm that Ruturaj Gaikwad will no longer be joining the Club for the 2025 season due to personal reasons. pic.twitter.com/zP6YIRZDCT — Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) July 18, 2025 Also Read | Vasuki Koushik Leaves Goa, Karun Nair Returns to Karnataka Imam-ul-Haq to Replace Ruturaj Gaikwad To replace the gap, Yorkshire is currently set to sign an experienced Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq. According to a report by The Cricketer, the club is set to confirm the signing of the left-hander to replace Gaikwad. Imam has previously performed in English conditions. He played briefly but effectively for Somerset in 2022, playing four games to ensure the team stayed away from relegation. On his debut against Gloucestershire, he registered 90 runs and made an instant impact. The 28-year-old has reputable experience under his belt. In 24 Tests for Pakistan, he has accumulated 1,568 runs at a batting average of 37.33, with 3 centuries and 9 fifty's. His first-class career is even more formidable, with 5,453 runs in 84 matches, at a strike rate of 15 centuries and highest score of 202 not out. Yorkshire will host Surrey on July 22 in a Division One match at North Marine Road, Scarborough. If the transaction gets finalized on schedule, the Pakistani opener may find a place in the playing XI and share the opening with Adam Lyth.