Karun Nair, Jitesh Sharma set to leave Vidarbha

The Vidarbha state team, one of the standout performers in the last domestic season, could lose two of its star players ahead of the upcoming campaign. Karun Nair and Jitesh Sharma - batting mainstays for the Central Zone side in both red-ball and white-ball formats - have decided to part with the Nagpur-headquartered side. Vidarbha were the champions in the Ranji Trophy, runners-up in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and quarterfinalists in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in the 2024-25 tournaments.

It has been reliably learned that Jitesh (31) has decided to move to Baroda, while Nair (33) is believed to be planning a return to his home state, Karnataka. Vidarbha's domestic success last season was built on strong batting contributions from the two batters, with Nair playing a key role. He is currently with the Indian team in England and, in all likelihood, could make a comeback to the national side after eight years.

Nair scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy - the fourth-highest in the tournament - and topped the charts in the Vijay Hazare one-day competition with 779 runs. He had left his home state ahead of the 2023-24 season but is now understood to be returning to Karnataka for personal and family reasons. Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) sources confirmed that Nair's return is a strong possibility. This website has refrained from seeking a comment from the player, as he is on the cusp of an international comeback within the next 24 hours. Nair led Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare tournament last season.

Meanwhile, it is almost certain that Jitesh will move to Baroda. Sources within the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) have confirmed to this website that the transfer should be completed within a day or two. Jitesh captained Vidarbha in the SMAT competition and played under Nair in the VHT but could not make much of an impact. He did not play in the Ranji Trophy.

He, of course, enjoyed a successful IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and delivered some match-winning knocks, including in the final. BCA officials say Jitesh will play in both red ball and white ball formats for the state team. He could not be immediately reached for a comment. Cricbuzz has left a message with him.

Last season, Karnataka won the Vijay Hazare tournament beating Nair's Vidarbha but could not make the knockouts in the SMAT. In the Ranji Trophy, they failed to reach the knockout stage. Baroda lost in the semifinals of SMAT, in the quarterfinals of Vijay Hazare. In the Ranji Trophy, their campaign ended in the league stage.