Essex confirm Das release as batter appears in court over rape charge

Essex County Cricket Club announced on October 9, 2026, that Robin Das is no longer employed by the club, confirming his departure on the same day he appeared before Inner London Crown Court. Das, 24, stood in the dock at that hearing and was subsequently released on conditional bail. Judge Freya Newbery presided over the proceedings, and a five-day trial was fixed for January 10, 2028.

Das had been charged with two counts of rape on July 23, 2026. According to the Metropolitan Police, the charges stem from a reported incident involving a woman in Brixton on March 30, 2024. He was arrested on August 27, 2025, in connection with that reported incident. Essex placed Das on immediate and indefinite suspension after the charges were brought in July 2026.

"Essex County Cricket Club is aware of today's court proceedings involving Robin Das. The club recognises the seriousness of the matter and will not comment further on the circumstances of the case. Das's playing contract with Essex ended prior to the conclusion of the 2026 season following his suspension and his resulting unavailability to fulfil his playing obligations. This decision was separate from the ongoing legal proceedings," the statement said as quoted by Cricinfo.

"Essex County Cricket Club has robust safeguarding and disciplinary procedures in place and regularly reviews these to ensure they remain appropriate. We will continue to work closely with the ECB, PCA and The Cricket Regulator as part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards across the club," it added.

What was Das's involvement with Essex before his contract ended?

Das held a batting contract at Essex but managed only a single first-team outing for the county during the 2026 season. That appearance came in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup fixture against Middlesex on July 21, 2026, in which he contributed 29 runs. The charges were formally brought just two days after that match, on July 23, 2026.

Once the suspension took effect, Das was unable to fulfil his playing commitments for the remainder of the season. Essex made clear in their statement that the termination of his contract followed directly from that unavailability and was handled as a matter distinct from the legal case proceeding through the courts.

What are the next steps in the legal proceedings?

The October 9 hearing at Inner London Crown Court established the framework for what comes next. Das appeared in the dock, was released on conditional bail, and a five-day trial was formally scheduled to begin on January 10, 2028, under Judge Freya Newbery. The period between now and the trial date means Das will remain on conditional bail for well over a year before proceedings resume.

The timeline of events leading to this point spans nearly two years. The alleged incident in Brixton was reported on March 30, 2024. Das was arrested on August 27, 2025, and formally charged on July 23, 2026, just two days after his only first-team appearance of the season. His suspension followed immediately, and his contract was subsequently terminated prior to the end of the 2026 season. Essex have confirmed they will continue to engage with the ECB, the PCA and The Cricket Regulator throughout this process.