Virdi, 26, claimed 39 wickets in Surrey’s championship-winning season in 2018, and was considered a future Test prospect at the time, having featured in the England Under-19 team in 2016 and 2017. He formed part of England’s training bubble. during the 2020 Covid-19 season and toured the subcontinent in early 2021 as a reserve for series against Sri Lanka and India.
On their first-class debut in May 2017, they made history by joining Sam Curran, Ryan Patel and Ollie Pope to form the first teenage quartet to play for a county since the Second World War, and only the fifth in history.
But unlike his contemporaries, all of whom have become fixtures in Surrey’s first effects load.
He spent the latter part of the 2024 county season on loan at Worcestershire, where he took 14 wickets in four matches, including a five-wicket haul against Hampshire in September, but it is understood that a permanent move is unlikely. He had previously been on loan at Somerset in 2022, with his most recent Championship outing with Surrey coming in September 2021.
“Having been part of the club since I was 11, I will look back on my time at Surrey with great fondness and have incredible memories of playing for the club,” Virdi said.
“Winning the 2018 County Championship was a personal highlight and it was incredible to be part of the team that brought success back to the club after many years.
“Having had a difficult couple of years at Surrey with selection and hurling, I still believe I have a lot to offer the game, as demonstrated by my recent loan spell at Worcestershire, and I am looking forward to the next step in my career, career as a player.”
Alec Stewart, Director of cricket, added: “It is always difficult to let a player go from the club and especially when that player has been in our organization from a young age. With the balance of our bowling attack that we have used in the Championship In In recent years, which has brought us great success, Virds has not been able to find a place in the starting eleven.
“I firmly believe that your bowling alley has a lot to offer another county and I hope you find a new home where you can showcase your talents and advance your career. I will do my best to help you find a good solution.
“Meanwhile, on behalf of everyone at Surrey CCC, I would like to thank Virds for the service he has provided and we must never forget the impact he made in winning the 2018 County Championship title.”
