Karun Nair Returns to Karnataka for 2025-26 Domestic Season After Stellar Run with Vidarbha

India Test batter Karun Nair is set to return to Karnataka for the upcoming 2025-26 domestic season after a successful stint with Vidarbha. The Vidarbha Cricket Association granted Nair a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on Monday evening, paving the way for his homecoming three years after he last played for his original state side.

Nair, currently touring England with the Indian Test team, has seen his cricketing stocks rise significantly in recent times. His return to the national setup earlier this year came on the back of a stellar domestic season, highlighted by a crucial role in Vidarbha’s third Ranji Trophy triumph. He amassed 863 runs across 16 innings at an average of 53.93, including four centuries. His match-winning hundred in the final against Kerala proved vital, and it's worth noting that Kerala had shown interest in signing him back when he was dropped by Karnataka during the 2021-22 season.

In addition to his red-ball exploits, Nair set the Vijay Hazare Trophy alight, leading Vidarbha to a runners-up finish while topping the batting charts. He scored 779 runs in just eight innings at a staggering strike rate of 124.01, including five consecutive centuries. He also set a new List A record for most runs (542) without being dismissed.

Despite this rich vein of domestic form, Nair has yet to replicate similar success on the ongoing England tour. After a promising warm-up double-century for India A against the England Lions, he has managed scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14 across three Tests, predominantly batting at No. 3.

Nair’s return adds depth to an already talent-heavy Karnataka batting line-up. Youngsters like R Smaran, KL Shrijith, and KV Aneesh had impressive outings in the 2024-25 season. Smaran topped the team’s Ranji run charts with 516 runs in ten innings, while Shrijith scored a century on debut. With Mayank Agarwal expected to remain captain and Devdutt Padikkal a mainstay, team selectors will face some welcome selection headaches.

Nair's return also hints at a potential shift in the Karnataka State Cricket Association's strategy. In recent years, the KSCA has focused on grooming younger players — a trend underscored by the exits of veterans K Gowtham and Manish Pandey. However, Nair’s experience and recent form may have warranted an exception.

In a parallel development, Karnataka seamer V Koushik has received an NOC to move to Goa. A late bloomer who made his Ranji debut at 27 after leaving a corporate job, Koushik became a key figure in Karnataka’s pace unit post the retirements of R Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, and S Aravind. He was Karnataka’s leading wicket-taker in the 2024-25 Ranji season with 23 wickets at an average of 18.73, including two five-wicket hauls.

As both Nair and Koushik embark on new chapters in their domestic careers, the 2025-26 season promises intriguing changes and fierce competition across the Indian domestic circuit.