Indian Premier League star Sujit Nayak is determined to keep his batting form going and fire Hythe Cricket Club to championship glory.

Nayak, 24, has been more prolific than any other player across the 12 Kent League divisions since arriving in the UK for the first time. He’s already cracked 766 runs in eight innings for Hythe, including the first double-hundred of his career and three other centuries.

Nayak has played with the likes of Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma in the IPL and his class could make all the difference for Hythe over the next couple of months.

He said: "Being a professional on the team, there’s extra responsibility on my shoulders. The club have trusted me, they’ve given me a certain position and I need to live up to their expectations.

"Hopefully I can continue the start I’ve made to the season and hopefully Hythe will qualify (for promotion)."

If he does, they surely will. Nayak’s opening salvo in Kent League cricket was 59 not out against Broadstairs, before his 124 dragged them to victory over Old Wilsonians a week later.

He said: "That hundred was a challenging one because we kept losing wickets and I had to play to the end of the 50 overs on a wicket that was not good at all.

"It’s been difficult for me getting used to the conditions. When I play back at home, it’s always hot and the pitches are nice and hard but here it’s cold and the pitches are soft. It’s a good challenge."

To say Nayak is rising to that challenge is a huge understatement. His 201 not out against Catford Wanderers on May 31 means he’s already got 416 Kent League runs at an average of 208.

Full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.