Leicestershire batter Rishi Patel will leave at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old has been instrumental in helping turn the Foxes from a side that spent years struggling as a first-class county into one that has won two major titles in recent years.

He was part of the Leicestershire team that ended the 38-year wait for a List A trophy when they claimed the One-Day Cup in 2023 and, two years later, part of the promotion-winning County Championship side that went up as Division Two title winners.

Patel is Leicestershire’s leading scorer in the four-day game this season, with 587 runs – which includes a top score of 164 against Surrey in their draw earlier in the season.

The batter said he had “decided to make a change” after six years at the Foxes and added that it was “the right time” to move on.

“It was a tough decision to make leaving a club that gave me an opportunity to play professional cricket,” he told the club website., external

“Leicestershire will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Leicestershire’s director of cricket Claude Henderson said he attempted to convince Patel to stay on, but said the club “respected his decision” to leave.