Batter Gorantla signs 'multi-year' Surrey contract

Nikhil Gorantla (right) recently graduated from Durham University with a degree in chemistry, and played for the university's cricket team

Batter Nikhil Gorantla has signed a "multi-year" full-time contract with Surrey after impressing in the second XI.

The 22-year-old played in the Essex academy until 2022, has been part of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) since 2023, and joined the MCC Young Cricketers this year.

He scored a double hundred for Essex's second XI against Yorkshire in 2022 and also hit a century for Northumberland in a showcase match against Durham the following year.

"I'm looking forward to getting around the group and learning from the wealth of experienced players and coaches at the club," he told the Surrey website.

The right-handed top-order batter will begin training with his new side's first team this week.

Surrey's high performance advisor Alec Stewart said: "Not every journey to a professional contract is seamless.

"Nik's a shining example of how hard work and patience can be rewarded. The guidance and coaching he has received from SACA, who help with opportunities for young cricketers, has been exceptionally important."