Cricket News: Rahane will be first Indian to play for Hampshire

India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has signed to play for Hampshire this season, the English county has announced. The 30-year-old batsman will become the first Indian cricketer to play for Hampshire. Famous cricketers like Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen have played for the club in the past. "I am excited to be the first Indian to play for Hampshire, a county which has a glowing reputation,I hope to score runs and win as a team and would like to thank BCCI for allowing me to play." Rahane said. After playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, Rahane will leave for England and feature in eight County Championship fixtures from mid-May to July, before going to the West Indies with the Indian team. Rahane will replace Aiden Markram, who will end his stint with Hampshire after the league stage of the Royal London One-Day Cup to join South Africa ahead of the World Cup this summer.