Sussex have added an India international fast bowler to their Championship promotion push.

Jaydev Unadkat will be available for matches against leaders Durham (away), Leicestershire (at Hove) and Derbyshire (away).

The county could yet end another tough season by securing a long-awaited return to the top flight in the LV Insurance County Championship.

They will be delighted to add more cutting edge to their seam attack, especially after losing Steven Finn to injury-enforced retirement.

Unadkat, 31, has made 22 appearances for India across the formats, four of them in Tests, and was on the recent trip to the West Indies.

He has 382 first-class wickets at an average of 22.58.

This will be his first stint in the County Championship but he is an international and club colleague of Sussex skipper Cheteshwar Pujara.

Unadkat said: “The English County Championship has a wonderful legacy, and I was keen to grab the opportunity whenever I can and it seems to be the right time for me at this point in my career.

“I hope to add to the laurels that my dear friend and team-mate Cheteshwar has been adding aplenty while representing Sussex for the last couple of seasons, and more importantly helping the team win games.

“I am looking forward to joining everyone at Sussex.”

Unadkat’s domestic commitments in India appear to rule him out of the final round of Championship games, when Sussex are at home to Gloucestershire.

Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace said he is delighted to bring in Unadkat.

He added: “He is a quality bowler and a great guy to have join our squad at an exciting time of the season.

“His record is outstanding, and we will be looking for Jaydev to share his experience with our developing team.

“Everyone at Hove is looking forward to Jaydev being part of this Championship run in and help the team to take wickets and win games of cricket.”

Sussex have drawn all nine of their Championship fixtures since beating Durham in the opening fixture and are currently poised just outside the promotion places with a match in hand on the teams above them.