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Karun Nair and Jitesh Sharma Likely to Exit Vidarbha Ahead of New Domestic Season
Star Batters Eye Moves to Karnataka and Baroda Respectively
Two of Vidarbha’s most prominent cricketers — Karun Nair and Jitesh Sharma — are on the verge of departing the team ahead of the 2025–26 Indian domestic cricket season. Sources close to the matter have confirmed that Nair is in advanced discussions to return to Karnataka, his home state, while Jitesh Sharma is set to join Baroda. Their exits could significantly impact Vidarbha, a team that enjoyed a stellar 2024–25 season.
Vidarbha’s success last season included winning the Ranji Trophy, finishing runners-up in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), and reaching the quarterfinals in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
Karun Nair Set to Rejoin Karnataka
Ranji Star Eyes Return to Roots
Karun Nair, who left Karnataka in the 2023–24 season to play for Vidarbha, appears set for a homecoming. Nair, 33, was a key figure in Vidarbha’s dominance last season, especially in red-ball cricket. He scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy, making him the fourth-highest run-scorer, and also topped the Vijay Hazare Trophy charts with 779 runs.
He led Vidarbha in the one-day tournament and was instrumental in their deep run in the VHT. Now, it is believed that personal and family reasons are driving his decision to return. Sources within the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) confirmed that discussions regarding Nair’s return are underway and likely to conclude soon.
Currently, Nair is with the Indian team in England and could potentially stage a return to the national team after a gap of eight years.
🔗 Read about Karun Nair’s domestic performances and Ranji Trophy stats here
Jitesh Sharma Poised to Join Baroda
IPL Star Set for Domestic Switch
Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma, another pivotal figure for Vidarbha, is all but confirmed to move to Baroda. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter did not feature in the Ranji Trophy last season but captained Vidarbha in the SMAT and played under Nair’s leadership in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Despite a modest domestic season, Jitesh made headlines in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), playing a crucial role in their finals run. His T20 form seems to have caught Baroda’s attention. Sources within the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) stated that his transfer will be formalized within days, and he is expected to be available for both red-ball and white-ball formats.
Attempts to reach Sharma for a comment were unsuccessful, but Cricbuzz has reportedly left a message for him.
Impact on Vidarbha and Their Rivals
With Nair and Sharma possibly on their way out, Vidarbha will need to reshuffle their leadership group and batting core ahead of the new season. Nair’s performances were especially critical in their red-ball success. Meanwhile, the addition of these seasoned players could strengthen both Karnataka and Baroda, two teams that had mixed campaigns last year.
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Karnataka won the Vijay Hazare Trophy but failed to make the knockouts in SMAT and Ranji.
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Baroda exited in the semifinals of SMAT, quarterfinals of VHT, and failed to progress in Ranji.
The changes reflect a shifting dynamic in India’s domestic structure, where player movement is increasingly strategic.
Read more: Top Performers in Ranji Trophy 2024–25
Official Report: Cricbuzz on Karun Nair and Jitesh Sharma’s exit
