Nikhil Gorantla has signed a multi-year, full-time contract following a list of impressive performances for the Surrey Second XI.
The 23-year-old right-handed batter has been part of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) since 2023, and he also joined the relaunched MCC Young Cricketers Programme this year.
Gorantla has impressed in other counties Second XIs in recent seasons. He scored a double hundred for Essex’s Second XI against Yorkshire in 2022 and an impressive century for Northumberland in their Showcase match with Durham in 2023.
A stylish top-order batter, Gorantla will join up with the Surrey First XI squad this week as he begins training with the Three Feathers.
He impressed with 76 runs in Surrey Second XIs narrow red ball victory over Derbyshire. In the T20s, he further showcased his talents with 37 against Hampshire, 35 against Kent and a quickfire 52 against Essex.
Born in Cambridge, he was part of the Cambridgeshire set up from U10s to U15s before being part of the Essex age group system and Academy until 2022.
He recently graduated from Durham University with a degree in Chemistry and played for the universities cricket team. While at university, Nik played for South Northumberland Cricket Club in Newcastle before moving to Sawston and Babraham in the East Anglian Premier League this summer.
On signing for Surrey, Gorantla said: “I’m delighted to sign my first professional contract at Surrey. I’m incredibly proud that my hard work over the past few years with SACA, Durham University, club cricket and the MCC Young Cricketers has been rewarded with a contract at the biggest club in the country.
“I’d like to particularly thank the South Asian Cricket Academy for keeping me in the professional mix over recent years, the work they continue to do for young cricketers has been phenomenal.
“I’m looking forward to getting around the group and learning from the wealth of experienced players and coaches at the Club.”
Alec Stewart, High Performance Advisor at Surrey, added: “Nik has shown good potential and has earned this opportunity after impressing in the Second XI this season, not just with Surrey but what he has achieved for other county Second XIs.
“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.
“The reemergence of the MCC Young Cricketers programme, along with Durham University, gave Nik the opportunity to receive quality coaching alongside his studies.”
Tom Brown, Co-founder and Managing Director at SACA, said: “Nik has worked incredibly hard to get this opportunity and everyone at SACA is so pleased for him. He’s a shining example of how the programme works; his talent and his work rate have never been in doubt and he’s shown that he deserves this chance at Surrey.”
“On his debut for SACA back in 2023, you could tell straight away what a quality cricketer he was and we’re so proud to see him take that next step in his journey.”
