Vidarbha’s build-up to the 2025–26 domestic season has just suffered a huge blow with the anticipated exodus of two of their star players—Karun Nair and Jitesh Sharma. They were two of the major players during Vidarbha's largely successful 2024–25 season, in which they were able to lift the Ranji Trophy, reach the finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

Karun Nair made a great recovery back after a disappointing stint with Karnataka to be with Vidarbha and had a great red-ball season, finishing with 863 runs from nine matches—fourth overall for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. His established consistency not only resurrected his domestic career but also earned him a testimonial opportunity within the India Test squad for the England series. Nair was prolific in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 779 runs, which crowned him as the highest scorer of the tournament. Rumors are that he is returning to Karnataka to finish his journey at home in his original state.

Karun Nair and Jitesh Sharma have decided to leave Vidarbha. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/GSNFwJ6IiO

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 19, 2025

Also Read: Echoes of excellence: June 20 in Indian Test history

Jitesh Sharma's Move to Baroda Signals New Chapter

Joining Nair, Jitesh Sharma, a veteran wicketkeeper-batter from Vidarbha, is also on the move, with reports suggesting he will be heading in the direction of Baroda. Jitesh led Vidarbha in the SMAT and played under Nair's captaincy in the Vijay Hazare Trophy; both exhibited versatility during the 2024–25 season and leadership for the team in tough situations. He further raised his profile during IPL 2025, playing for RCB and even captaining the side for stretches due to Rajat Patidar's unavailability.

Baroda, reportedly searching for a proven leader, could have just the player—someone that could not only hold the innings together but also manage the others while working within the responsibilities of a keeper and a leader—someone that could make the difference for the western side. While Jitesh's switch looks likely to occur in the coming days, his departure, along with that of Karun Nair leaving Vidarbha, brings another significant moment to a close for Vidarbha cricket.

In a thrilling match between Kolhapur Tuskers and Raigad Royals in Match 20 of the 2025 Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), Tuskers won the match by 2 wickets at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. Both the teams were eyeing important points in order to stay in the playoff race; the contest lived up to its billing with a dramatic finish in the final over.

Raigad Royals Innings

Battling first, Raigad Royals compiled a gritty 159 off 19.4 overs. Niraj Joshi hit a blazing 49 from 27 deliveries, smashing five sixes to push the run rate. Vicky Ostwal (22 from 14) and Siddhesh Veer (21 from 15) provided good starts, but the middle order did not carry on the momentum. Anand Thenge of Kolhapur was excellent with the ball, claiming 4/29, while Deepak Natraj Dangi supported him with a good 3/27. Support from Atman Pore (2/31) kept Raigad limited below 160.

Kolhapur Tuskers Innings

Pursuing 160, Kolhapur Tuskers reached the finish line at 162/8 in a thrilling climax. Captain Rahul Tripathi led by example with a match-winning 53 off 43 balls, ably supported by Sachin Dhas (29 off 19) and Vishant More (22 off 15). The Royals' bowlers, particularly Tanay Sanghvi (3/27) and Nikhil Kadam (2/37), struggled hard, but the Tuskers' lower order played with nerves of steel to win the match in the final over. Kolhapur consolidated their campaign with this win, and Raigad had to bemoan missed opportunities.

See Also: MPL 2025, Match 19: Ratnagiri Jets vs Satara Warriors Full Match Highlights

Kolhapur Tuskers vs Raigad Royals: Match Scorecard

Raigad Royals – 159/10 (19.4 Overs)

Kolhapur Tuskers – 162/8 (20 Overs)

In the highly anticipated final of the Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) 2025, Pagariya Strikers (PAS) faced off against NECO Master Blaster (NMB) at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur. NECO Master Blaster won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends as they restricted Pagariya Strikers to a modest total before chasing it down comfortably to win by 7 wickets in 17.5 overs, clinching the VPL 2025 title.

Pagariya Strikers Innings: 178/7 in 20 Overs

Batting first, Pagariya Strikers scored a fighting 178/7 in their 20 overs. Shiwam Deshmukh dominated the innings with a match-winning 82 off 45 balls, with 3 fours and 7 sixes, at a stupendous strike rate of 182.22. Pushpak Gujar scored 25 off 26 balls, with Vishal Tiwari not out on 23 off 15 balls, giving a late kick with 3 fours and a six. MD Faiz scored 19 off 12 balls before he was run out. The NECO Master Blaster bowlers, however, made it tight at the right moments. Sanmesh Deshmukh was the bowler's choice, claiming 3 wickets for 37 runs from 4 overs, including the crucial scalp of Shiwam Deshmukh. Anamay Jaiswal also got among the wickets with 1/42, and Pratul Hinge, Kartik Rathod, and Sanjay Raghunath each took a wicket. In spite of the late push, Pagariya Strikers may have felt they were 10-15 runs short of a dominating total.

NECO Master Blaster Innings: 179/3 in 17.5 Overs

Pursuing 179, NECO Master Blaster mounted a clinical batting performance to 179/3 in 17.5 overs, winning by 7 wickets with 13 balls remaining. Opener Vedant Dighade set the tone for the chase with a magnificent 80 off 52 balls, which contained 8 fours and 4 sixes, at a strike rate of 153.85. Aryan Meshram contributed a key supporting 42 off 26 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes, at a strike rate of 161.54. Wicketkeeper-captain Jitesh Sharma completed the innings in style, unbeaten on 30 off 11 balls, including a four and 3 sixes, at an astronomical strike rate of 272.73. Adhyan Daga made 22 off 16 balls before becoming the victim of Dipesh Parwani. Pagariya Strikers' bowlers couldn't keep the NMB batsmen under wraps as Kaustubh Salve claimed 2/34 from 2.5 overs, including Aryan Meshram and Adhyan Routh. Dipesh Parwani claimed 1/38 but the other bowlers from the unit, with Yash Kadam (0/22) and Pushpak Gujar (0/34) included, could not put enough pressure. NECO Master Blaster’s disciplined chase ensured they lifted the VPL 2025 trophy in front of a packed crowd at Jamtha.

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Pagariya Strikers (PAS) vs NECO Master Blaster (NMB): Match Scorecard

Pagariya Strikers – 178/7 (20 Overs)

NECO Master Blaster – 179/3 (17.5 Overs)

In a tense Semi-Final 2 of the 2025 Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) between Pagariya Strikers (PAS) and Orange Tigers (ORT) at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur, Pagariya Strikers won the toss and elected to bowl first. In a thrilling low-scoring drama, the Pagariya Strikers recovered from a late meltdown to pursue the target with only two wickets remaining, clinching a victory to remember and securing their spot in the VPL 2025 final against NECO Master Blaster.

Orange Tigers Innings

Orange Tigers were bowled out for 132 in 19.2 overs after batting first. Wicket-keeper opener Rohit V. Binkar held the innings together with a vital 52 off 41 balls, and Akshay Karnewar (21 off 14) and Yash Rathod (18 off 13) contributed with brisk runs. But the middle and lower order could not capitalize on the platform as the Pagariya bowlers kept on coming at regular intervals. Ashit Singh starred with the ball, claiming 3/10 in just 3 overs. Dipesh Parwani (2/29) and Kaustubh Salve (2/23) added to the pressure with disciplined spells, restricting ORT to a below-par total.

Pagariya Strikers Innings

Chasing 133, Pagariya Strikers managed some dodgy moments to reach 133/8 in 19.2 overs. Ashit Singh continued his all-round performance, making a breezy 33 off 20 balls, while MD Faiz (33 off 36) steadied the innings with some middle-overs solidity. Skipper Yash Kadam added a crucial 32 from 27 balls. Although there was a courageous comeback by Akshay Karnewar (3/21) and Minar Sahare (2/18), the Strikers managed to surpass the target in the last over. Tushar Suryavanshi (1/1) also staged a late drama, but Pagariya maintained their composure to seal a closely fought victory.

With this dramatic victory, Pagariya Strikers will now take on NECO Master Blaster in the grand final of VPL 2025. Both sides have displayed great form throughout the competition, and they will be all set for a thrilling contest for the VPL 2025 title at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

See Also: VPL 2025, 1st Semi-Final: Bharat Rangers vs NECO Master Blaster Full Match Highlights

Pagariya Strikers (PAS) vs Orange Tigers (ORT): Match Scorecard

Orange Tigers – 132/10 (19.2 Overs)

Pagariya Strikers – 133/8 (19.2 Overs)

In a high-scoring match of Semi-Final 1 between Bharat Rangers (BHR) and NECO Master Blaster (NMB) of the 2025 Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur. NECO Master Blaster won the toss and decided to field first. A thrilling chase under lights, NECO Master Blaster successfully chased down the target with a strong batting display to culminate in a 6-wicket victory and secure a place in the final.

Bharat Rangers Innings

Bharat Rangers batted first, finishing with a strong total of 204/3 in 20 overs. Skipper Atharva Taide led from the front with a blistering 94 off 53 balls, hitting boundaries at will and anchoring the innings. He had good support from Varun Bisht, who hit a quick 50 off only 15 balls, turning the game around in the death overs. Neel Athaley contributed a consistent 39 from 29 balls, which prevented any slow patches in the innings. Anamany Jaiswal was the pick for NECO with 2/34 in 3 overs, and Sanjay Raghunath (1/27) was the only other wicket-taker.

NECO Master Blaster Innings

Pursuing an ambitious target of 205, NECO Master Blaster achieved a dominating pursuit, scoring 206/4 in 20 overs. Adhyan Daga delivered a fine knock of a match-winning 66 off 38, a blend of aggressiveness and maturity. He was ably assisted by Aryan Meshram, who scored 49 off 35, and skipper Jitesh Sharma, who struck 46 off 22 deliveries to speed towards the finish. Even though Bharat Rangers' bowlers couldn't seal the run flow with their early breakthroughs from Gaurav Farde (1/10) and Atharva Taide (1/15), NECO Master Blaster stormed into the VPL 2025 final with a dominating win.

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Bharat Rangers vs NECO Master Blaster: Match scorecard

Bharat Rangers—204/3 (20 Overs)

NECO Master Blaster – 206/4 (20 Overs)

In Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) Match 15, at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, Bharat Rangers (BHR) made a stunning 5-wicket win against Nagpur Titans (NAH). Having chosen to bowl, BHR were given a challenging chase, but due to a scorching century by Danish Malewar, they crossed the line with four balls to spare. With this game, Bharat Rangers have now officially qualified for the semi-finals.

Nagpur Titans (NAH) Innings

Nagpur Titans mounted a strong 200/4 in 20 overs. Shubham Dubey set the stage alight with an explosive 72 off 30 balls, while skipper Jagjot Singh Sasan played the anchor with 67 off 50. Aditya Narwade contributed a handy 36 off 27 to take NAH to a powerful score. The bowlers of Bharat Rangers were costly, but Shantanu Chikhale (1/13 in 2 overs), Varun Bisht (1/17 in 3), and Shubham Kapse (1/44 in 4) did well to obtain crucial wickets.

Bharat Rangers (BHR) Innings

BHR pursued 201 in 19.2 overs,powered by a sensational unbeaten 120 off 55 balls by Danish Malewar. His counter-attack shook the Titans' bowling plans. Manan Agarwal added 25 off 24 balls, while Nachiket Bhute sealed the deal with a six-wicket 18* off 6 balls. Sahil Sabir Sheikh (2/40), Aditya Sanjay Kukde (1/29), and Rahul Dongarwar (1/47) made the chase interesting despite their efforts.

With this win, Bharat Rangers concluded their group stage with 6 points from 5 games—winning 3 and losing 2. With their positive Net Run Rate of +0.823, they confirmed their entry into the VPL 2025 semi-finals.

See Also: VPL 2025, Match 14: Orange Tigers vs Pagariya Strikers Full Match Highlights

Nagpur Titans vs Bharat Ranger: Match Scorecard

Nagpur Titans – 200/4 (20 Overs)

Bharat Rangers – 201/5 (19.2 Overs)

In Match 14 of the Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) 2025 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Pagariya Strikers (PAS) defeated Orange Tigers (ORT) by a solid margin of 71 runs. ORT won the toss and decided to bowl first, hoping to take early advantage of the conditions, but their plans quickly unraveled. PAS posted a challenging total with multiple contributions from the top order, and their bowlers supported it with a one-sided effort to win a commanding match.

Pagariya Strikers (PAS) Innings

Batting first, Pagariya Strikers scored a mammoth 181/6 from their 20 overs. Yash Kadam held the innings together with a calm knock of 58 from 44 balls, ably supported by a scorching 50 off 26 balls by MD Faiz. Dhruv Shorey also contributed a useful 28 off 20 balls. The innings proceeded on track notwithstanding some breakthroughs by ORT bowlers. Rahul Singh was the best of the ORT attack, coming back with figures of 2/37 in 4 overs. Minar Sahare bowled tight (1/17 in 2 overs), and Darshan Nalkande added 1/27 in 4 overs.

Orange Tigers (ORT) Innings

Pursuing 182, Orange Tigers never seemed comfortable and fought against the PAS bowling attack, scoring only 110/9 in 20 overs. Apoorv Wankhede and Darshan Nalkande were the only two batters to reach 20 runs, both scoring 22. Rohit Binkar contributed 14 from 10 but could not continue. Pagariya Strikers were in control with the ball, with Lalit Yadav taking the lead through an impressive spell of 3/22 in 4 overs. He was well-assisted by Suraj Rai (2/14) and Pushpak Gujar (2/16), who restricted the pursuit to a tightrope. The all-round effort ensured a huge 71-run victory for PAS.

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Orange Tigers (ORT) vs Pagariya Strikers (PAS): Match Scorecard

Pagariya Strikers – 181/6 (20 Overs)

Orange Tigers – 110/9 (20 Overs)

The Vidarbha Pro T20 League (VPL) Match 13 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium was enlivened by RCB chants as Jitesh Sharma, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL, batted for NECO Master Blaster (NMB) against Pagariya Strikers (PAS). The RCB chants will be heard from the stands, highlighting Sharma’s growing popularity and the fervent RCB fan base, even in a domestic league. Sharma finished with a quick-fire 21 off 12 balls, including a four and two sixes, yet NMB lost the game by 8 runs, making 157/6 off their 20 overs to PAS's 165/10.

Sharma's innings, although not sufficient for NMB's win, was the center of attraction during the RCB shouts. His 21 runs were off an 18-run over off Dipesh Parwani, and Sharma had been showing his intent, but NMB could not achieve the 166-run mark. The RCB chants, which were recorded in a viral video, spoke volumes of the emotional bond between Sharma and fans, a reflection of RCB's huge fan base, which has more than 21 million Instagram followers, the most followed cricket franchise on the platform. Sharma's affiliation with RCB, joining after their momentous IPL title victory, placed him amongst the fans, showing just how popular he has become!

Watch the video here

RCB RCB Chants in Vidarbha Pro T20 League Match pic.twitter.com/andlUP0jZN

— Abhi (@79off201) June 11, 2025

Also Read: VPL 2025, Match 13: Pagariya Strikers vs NECO Master Blaster Full Match Highlights

RCB's Fan Base Influence

The RCB chants that resounded throughout Sharma's stint at bat signified the reach of the franchise's supporters beyond the confines of the IPL. This was a display of the very power of domestic leagues to be venues for broader fan expression. In the 2025 IPL season, Sharma scored 261 off of 11 innings with a strike rate of 176.35, doing his part in contributing to RCB's campaign. His performance in Nagpur, although not an overall view like in the IPL, carried the feeling of his IPL batting, leaving RCB supporters engaged in the VPL.

In Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) Match 13 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, Pagariya Strikers (PAS) beat NECO Master Blaster (NMB) by a mere 8 runs. NMB elected to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping to contain PAS to a paltry score. Their bowlers did restrict them just short of the 20-over mark, but Pagariya Strikers still managed to put up a competitive score. For their part, NMB's batting unit lacked in a nail-biting finish, giving PAS a tough-won win.

Pagariya Strikers (PAS) Innings

Pagariya Strikers scored 165/10 in 19.4 overs. MD Faiz anchored the innings with a steady 39 off 36 balls, while Aditya Ahuja contributed a brisk 29 off 12 balls and Vishesh Tiwari contributed 24 off 19. The Strikers could not capitalize on a good platform as wickets fell at intervals due to a good bowling effort by NMB. Arya Durugkar and Sanmesh Deshmukh were excellent, each collecting 3/33 in 4 overs, with Ananmay Jaiswal putting pressure at the tail end with 2/41 in 3.4 overs to bowl out PAS with two balls remaining.

NECO Master Blaster (NMB) Innings

In their pursuit of 166, NECO Master Blasters finished with 157/6 in 20 overs. Captain Sanjay Raghunath played a captain's knock, amassing 43 off 34 balls, supported well by Aryan Mehsram (25 off 29 balls) and Jitesh Sharma (21 off 12 balls). The Pagariya Strikers performed well with the ball, making it difficult to score throughout their innings. Dipesh Parwani started the charge for the Strikers with 2/26 off 4 overs, while the tight bowling spells of Kaustubh Salve (2/33 off 4) and Pushpag Gujar (1/19 off 4) proved vital in the end. NMB will be disappointed to fall short by 8 runs, granting Pagariya Strikers a crucial win.

Also Read: VPL 2025, Match 12: Bharat Rangers vs Nagpur Heroz Full Match Highlights

Pagariya Strikers vs NECO Master Blaster: Match Scorecard

Pagariya Strikers – 165/10 (19.4 Overs)

NECO Master Blaster – 157/6 (20 Overs)

In Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) 2025 Match 12 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, Nagpur Heroz (NAH) defeated Bharat Rangers (BHR) by 4 wickets. BHR won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring a good total. But NAH kept their nerves in a heart-stopping chase to win the match with four balls remaining, an indication of a closely contested encounter between the two teams.

Bharat Rangers (BHR) Innings

Bharat Rangers scored a total of 166/5 in 20 overs. Danish Malewar anchored the innings with a measured 67 off 54 balls, acting as a stabilizer. Shree Choudhary and he were well-supported by Shree Choudhary, who played a smooth 44 off 36, while Varun Bisht played a late cameo of 25 off a mere 11 balls to give pace. After a good beginning, NAH's bowling attack made its presence felt at the right moments, spearheaded by Yash Thakur, the pick with 4/32 in 4 overs. Arjun Ingle (1/35) and skipper Mandar Kiran Mahale also chipped in with the ball to keep the runs in check. 

Nagpur Heroz (NAH) Innings

Nagpur Heroz pursued the target of 169/6 in 19.2 overs. Parth Rekhade was the driving force behind the batting with his scintillating 61 off 30 balls and gave the innings an early thumbs-up. Aman Mokhade (37 off 33) and Siddhesh Wath (27 off 15) also provided support to the middle order. Though there were a couple of hiccups in the run chase, their intent and composure were clear. Bharat Rangers' bowling assault attempted to keep them at bay, Shantanu Chikhale getting 3/33, though Atharva Taide and Shubham Kapse added a single wicket each. NAH's powerhouse batting lineup, however, saw them reach the finish, and in a thrilling conclusion, they won by 4 wickets.

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Bharat Rangers vs Nagpur Heroz: Match Scorecard

Bharat Rangers – 166/5 (20 Overs)

Nagpur Heroz – 169/6 (19.2 Overs)