Karun Nair, Jitesh Sharma to exit Vidarbha before 2025-26 season

New Delhi: Karun Nair (33), the prolific right‑hander, is expected to return to his home state, Karnataka, ending his two‑year stint in Nagpur.Jitesh Sharma (31), the wicketkeeper‑batter and white‑ball captain, will reportedly join Baroda, with the transfer likely to complete within days.Vidarbha topped the Ranji Trophy, finished runners‑up in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and reached the quarter‑finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2024–25.Karun Nair accumulated 863 runs in Ranji (fourth overall) and led the Vijay Hazare charts with 779 runs. Jitesh Sharma, captain in the white‑ball formats, also impressed during the IPL, contributing to RCB’s breakthrough title win.Nair, currently with the Indian squad in England and on the brink of an international recall after eight years, is transferring for personal and family reasons. The Karnataka State Cricket Association has acknowledged the move.Meanwhile, Baroda Cricket Association insiders confirm Jitesh Sharma is set to feature in both red‑ball and white‑ball formats for the state side.What this means for Vidarbha?The loss of two prolific batters will leave a significant gap in the batting lineup. Vidarbha will now look to upcoming talents and domestic transfers to sustain their momentum in the upcoming season.