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. Following two seasons with Vidarbha, Nair has decided to return to Karnataka for personal reasons. At the same time, Karnataka pacer Vasuki Koushik confirmed his move to Goa.
Karun Nair, who notably made a triple century against England in 2016, returned to the Indian Test team in 2025, over eight years after his previous appearance.
His comeback was made feasible by solid domestic performances for Vidarbha, including 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, his return to international cricket has not gone as well as he had hoped.
So far in three Tests on the ongoing England tour, the right-handed batter has scored 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14. As India trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series, his spot in the playing XI for the fourth Test is uncertain. With youthful left-hander Sai Sudharsan fighting for selection, the Old Trafford Test lineup could change.
Meanwhile, the 33-year-old quit the squad in 2022 after being dropped and began a new chapter with Vidarbha. However, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has re-signed him for the 2017 season, and he is expected to play a key position in their batting lineup.
Vasuki Koushik obtains NoC from KSCA.
While Karnataka welcomes back Nair, they also say goodbye to pacer Vasuki Koushik, who has officially relocated to Goa for the forthcoming season. Last season, the 32-year-old pacer was one of Karnataka’s top bowlers, taking 23 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy games, eight in five Vijay Hazare games, and 18 in ten T20 matches.
Koushik got a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the KSCA and will now spearhead Goa’s pace attack alongside Arjun Tendulkar. The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has confirmed Koushik as one of their professional signings, and he is anticipated to boost their bowling squad after winning the Ranji Trophy Plate Group last season.
“We’ve signed Koushik. So yet, this is the sole verified move. “We are exploring a few other options, but no names have been finalised yet.” GCA Secretary Shambha Desai
India
