Legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid has played a helping hand as Kent have signed an Indian international bowler for five matches of their County Championship season.

Left-armer Arshdeep Singh will be available to play red-ball cricket for Matt Walker’s team between June and July, subject to regulatory approval.

And the 24-year-old has been told of the county’s great history by Dravid - now India men’s head coach - who played for Kent in 2000 amid a glittering career.

“I’m excited to play red-ball cricket in England and continue to improve my skills in the first-class game,” he said.

“I look forward to performing in front of Kent’s members and supporters.

“Rahul Dravid has already told me it is a club with a great history.”

Singh burst onto the scene during the 2019 Indian Premier League, before he made his international T20 debut in England last summer.

He made his One-Day International debut in New Zealand in November and he’s made 29 international appearances overall for India, including having a stand-out T20 World Cup last winter.

In only seven career first-class matches, he has taken 25 wickets at an average of 23.84 and an economy of 2.92.

He will become the fourth Indian player to play competitively for Kent after Kanwar Singh, Dravid and 2022 overseas bowler Navdeep Saini.

Director of cricket Paul Downton said: “We’re delighted to have a player of Arshdeep’s potential join us for five matches this summer.

“He has demonstrated that he has world-class skills with the white ball and I’m very confident he will be able to put those skills to good use with the red ball in the County Championship.”

On Twitter, Walker said: "Welcome to @KentCricket @arshdeepsinghh.

"Great to have you at the club this summer."

Singh joins a Kent side who already have South African all-rounder George Linde as an overseas player, who is expected to return at the end of the month, with Australian Kane Richardson set to be with the county for their 2023 T20 Blast campaign.

The only domestic bowler Kent have recruited this winter is 41-year-old seam bowler Michael Hogan.

Kent are due to take on Surrey, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Essex and Nottinghamshire in the two months they have Singh available.