Signing Virat Kohli – “the biggest name in world cricket” – for the month of June has given Surrey a massive boost.

The Indian captain, 29, is being allowed to miss his country’s Test against Afghanistan to acclimatise in English conditions before their tour in the second half of summer, but it also offers a huge surge in interest in the domestic game just when most needed.

Kohli averages 50 in all cricket for India and as the game’s most recognisable face worldwide, his arrival in England is likely to see fans flocking to grounds, starting from his projected debut against Kent in the 50-over competition on June 1.

“It’s long been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I’m thankful to Alec Stewart and Surrey for allowing me the opportunity,” said Kohli. Stewart added: “We’re thrilled to sign the biggest name in world cricket. Playing and training alongside Virat will be a massive benefit to our players.”

Kohli can look forward to two other one-day games – versus Middlesex at Lord’s (June 3) and Somerset at the Kia Oval (three days later), along with any knockout stage clashes beyond that, plus a trio of Specsavers County Championship encounters: Hampshire (Ageas Bowl, June 9-12), Somerset (Guildford 20-23) and Yorkshire at Scarborough (25-28).

The second of those should see Woodbridge Road humming with anticipation and is another plus for Guildford after the opening of their new pavilion.

In the meantime, Surrey will hope to have rediscovered the form which saw them beat Hampshire in their opening Championship outing. They followed that by battling to a draw at Old Trafford, despite being forced to follow on by Lancashire, and were aiming compound the misery of bottom side Worcestershire, who arrived at The Oval last weekend.

Skipper Rory Burns dominated the opening two days in making 193, the highest individual score of the season so far, while Ben Foakes delivered another advertisement for his England ambitions by stroking 72.

Yet Surrey were made to bat 144.2 overs to make their 434 by a persevering attack led by Joe Leach (4-96) and then saw the visitors pass that comfortably thanks to Daryl Mitchell (81), Tom Fell (88), Joe Clarke – whose 157 also underlined his Test credentials – Travis Head (50) and Ed Barnard (66).

The damage might have been worse than the eventual 526 all out but for off-spinner Amar Virdi’s career-best 6-105, the best figures from a teenage Surrey spinner in 52 years.

A pitch which grew more placid by the day enabled Surrey to bat out time at 173-3, Scott Borthwick finishing 82 not out.

They will be up against much fiercer opposition from Friday with the arrival of England duo Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow in a Yorkshire side who recovered from being bowled out for 50 in their first innings to beat Essex at Chelmsford.

Burns could have South African speedster Morne Morkel available for the first time after suffering a side strain in his farewell Test last month.