India batter Karun Nair has returned to his home team Karnataka ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season, following his recent return to the national Test squad. For personal reasons, Nair has chosen to return to Karnataka after two seasons with Vidarbha. Vasuki Koushik, a pacer for Karnataka, has simultaneously stated that he is moving to Goa.
Famous triple-century maker against England in 2016, Nair came back to the Indian Test team in the year 2025 after an absence of almost eight years. He managed to get back to the fold due to steady domestic actions with the Vidarbha side, registering 863 runs in the Ranji trophy and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare trophy. His comeback to the national side, in international cricket, was however not favourable.
The right-handed batter has scored 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14 in three Test matches thus far during the current England tour. His spot in the starting lineup for the fourth Test is in doubt as India is behind 1-2 in the five-match Test series. The lineup for the Old Trafford Test may change as young left-hander Sai Sudharsan pushes for a spot.
After being dropped, the 33-year-old quit the team in 2022 to start over with Vidarbha. He has been re-signed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for the forthcoming season, though, and is anticipated to contribute significantly to their batting lineup.
Vasuki Koushik secures NoC from KSCA
Karnataka said goodbye to pacer Vasuki Koushik, who has officially gone to Goa for the 2019 season, while welcoming back Nair. With 23 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy games, eight in five Vijay Hazare matches, and 18 in ten Twenty20 appearances, the 32-year-old pacer was one of Karnataka’s top bowlers last season.
Koushik and Arjun Tendulkar will now spearhead Goa’s speed assault after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from KSCA. After winning the Ranji Trophy Plate Group the previous season, Koushik is expected to bolster their bowling lineup as a professional addition, announced by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA).
“We have signed Koushik. So far, that is the only confirmed transfer. We are exploring a few other options, but no names have been finalised yet,” GCA secretary Shambha Desai told Cricbuzz.
