Karnataka pacer Vasuki Koushik has officially joined the Goa cricket team ahead of the upcoming domestic season. The 32-year-old right-arm medium pacer has received a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to confirm his transfer.
Karun Nair has also returned to Karnataka after his India comeback.
Vasuki Koushik, who had a strong domestic season last year with 49 wickets across formats for Karnataka, is now set to lead Goa’s pace attack in the upcoming domestic season. The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has confirmed that Koushik is their first professional signing of the season, with more player moves likely on the cards.
Vasuki Koushik joins Goa, set to lead the pace attack
Goa Cricket Association (GCA) secretary Shambha Desai was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, “We have signed Koushik. So far, that is the only confirmed transfer. We are exploring a few other options, but no names have been finalized yet.”
Goa, the winners of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group last year, are aiming to climb higher this season. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Goa finished fifth in Group A, while in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, they came sixth in their group. With Vasuki Koushik’s experience and consistency, the team is now aiming to deliver improved performance across the formats in the next season.
Koushik played seven Ranji matches, five Vijay Hazare games, and 10 T20 games last season, consistently delivering with the ball. Vasuki Koushik played in seven Ranji Trophy matches, five Vijay Hazare games, and 10 T20 matches for Karnataka last season.
Karun Nair returns to Karnataka ahead of the upcoming domestic season
Vasuki Koushik took 23 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, 8 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and 18 in T20s. In the upcoming domestic season, the fast bowler might open the bowling for Goa along with Arjun Tendulkar. Goa had earlier tried to bring in the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, but the move didn’t materialize. In the last moment, Jaiswal decided to stay in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Karnataka has welcomed back Karun Nair, who rejoins his home team after a short stint with Vidarbha, ahead of the 2025 season. Karun Nair, who is currently on the England tour with Team India, has reportedly decided to return to his home state due to personal reasons.
Jitesh Sharma leaves Vidarbha for Baroda ahead of the new season
Recently, Jitesh Sharma also left Vidarbha and joined Baroda in the upcoming domestic season. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter did not feature in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, as Akshay Wadkar was preferred as the first-choice keeper.
Jitesh was part of Vidarbha’s white-ball squads, led by Karun Nair, but limited opportunities forced him to leave his state team and shift to Baroda, thanks to his strong bond with their captain, Krunal Pandya, who is also his teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Mohammed Shami named in Bengal’s probables for the upcoming domestic season
On the other hand, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action since IPL 2025, has been included in Bengal’s list of 50 probables for the upcoming domestic cricket season. Shami, who is currently recovering from injury, will make a comeback with Bengal.
The list, released by the Cricket Association of Bengal, also features Akash Deep and Abhimanyu Easwaran-both currently with the Indian team on the England tour. Pacer Mukesh Kumar and senior batter Anustup Majumdar are also named. Majumdar is likely to continue as Bengal’s captain.