Piyush Chawla set for Somerset spell

Piyush Chawla is set for a spell at Somerset as they look to avoid relegation

Somerset have agreed terms with Piyush Chawla and are keen on keeping him at the club for the rest of the season, according to ESPN Cricinfo.

The BCCI have given Somerset consent by providing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) but it remains to be seen whether the leg-spinner will be granted a visa. Somerset are understood to have a backup plan in place in case Chawla does not get his visa in time as they hope to have in time to play their next County Championship match which starts on August 20 at Edgbaston.

Somerset were second in the championship last year but are fighting relegation this year as they sit in 7th place, eight points above 8th placed Surrey, having played a game more.

Surrey have already strengthened their squad by signing South African batsman and prolific run-scorer Hashim Amla.

Piyush is second choice for Somerset as they had originally signed Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who had to withdraw from the Championship as he was called up by his national side for the series against Zimbabwe.

Chawla’s last Test appearance for India came against England in Nagpur in December. The 24-year-old has previous county experience to call upon. He represented Sussex in 2009, taking 36 wickets at an average of 27.25