Worcestershire have extended the contract of another promising youngster, with batter Rehaan Edavalath agreeing a new two-year deal until the end of the 2025 season.
Edavalath, who has been part of the Worcestershire pathway since the age of just 12 and the full Academy since the age of 14, has followed batter Olly Cox and keeper-batter Henry Cullen in committing his future to New Road.
All three signed their first 12-month professional rookie contracts with Worcestershire last summer.
Edavalath made his first team debut in this season’s LV=Insurance County Championship encounter with Derbyshire at New Road.
The 19-year-old has also played a key role in the success of the Seconds and Academy sides, primarily in the opening batter’s role.
This week, he achieved his career-best score for the Seconds, hitting 169 not out in the Championship win over a strong Somerset side at Taunton Vale.
Edavalath will combine cricket with studying for a chemical engineering degree at Loughborough University.
Head Coach Alan Richardson said: “Rehaan was identified as someone with high potential very early on.
“It is really intriguing to watch how he is developing as a cricketer, as a person. He is a good lad, very bright, hard-working and diligent about how he goes about his stuff.
“Has a lovely little sparkle in his eyes, a bit of a sense of humour. It is very early days, but it has been exciting so far to watch him and see how he progresses.
“He is going to university, so he will work that in and alongside being a professional cricketer for us.
“The thing we know about Rehaan is that he has got a very solid batting technique and a very good temperament. He has got a good cricket brain for someone so young and is quite mature for his age.
“We know it is a huge challenge when you first come onto the professional staff and play games, so he has taken it in his stride well.”
Edavalath said: “I’m so happy to sign this new contract. It’s what I’ve wanted to do: play for Worcestershire since I joined the Pathway and Academy, and hopefully, I can keep performing and help Worcestershire.
“You are always hungry, but making your debut (against Derbyshire) keeps you wanting to strive for even more.
“That was a great achievement for me; hopefully, I can kick on.
“I feel the more training I’ve done, the higher quality of training has helped in different areas, small amendments and adjustments that have helped my game.
“The good thing is you get to be alongside experienced players and able to ask them questions and see what they do, and also the coaches as well. It has been really helpful being around that kind of environment.
“My main goal over the next two years is to break into the first team, especially in the red ball cricket, play as many games as I can, and help win as many games for Worcestershire as I can.”
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