Virat Kohli pulls out of Surrey deal due to neck injury

Virat Kohli will not join Surrey due to a neck injury, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced.

The India captain was due to play for the county side next month, but the move has now been called off after he sustained the injury playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League last week.

A statement from the BCCI said: "Team India Captain Mr Virat Kohli suffered a neck injury while fielding during Match 51 of the VIVO IPL between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad on 17th May 2018 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

"Mr Kohli, who was scheduled to play for Surrey CCC in the month of June, has been ruled out from participating.

"This decision was taken following assessments by the BCCI Medical team, subsequent scans, and a specialist visit."

Kohli's much-anticipated spell with Surrey - which would have been his first ever overseas contract - was designed to help prepare him for India's tour of England.

The trip begins in July, but it is not yet clear whether the batsman will be fit to take part.

The 29-year-old has guided his country to the top of the ICC Test rankings with 21 victories from 34 matches, while he averages more than 50 in all three formats of the international game.

England and India are due to contest three T20 matches and as many ODIs in July, before beginning a five-Test series in August - matches you can watch on Sky Sports Cricket.