In a major boost for Vidarbha cricket, three homegrown players have secured their spots for the upcoming Indian Premier League season after being retained by their respective franchises. The decision reflects the growing trust IPL teams are placing in Vidarbha’s emerging talent.
Vidarbha pacer Yash Thakur will continue with the Punjab Kings, while Sunrisers Hyderabad have decided to retain young spinner Harsh Dubey. Power-hitter Shubham Dubey has also been awarded another season with the Rajasthan Royals following his promising performances.
Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma, who shifted from Vidarbha to Baroda this season, has been retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jitesh has been a vital part of the RCB squad that clinched its maiden IPL title last year.
Both Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur have earned recognition on the national stage as well, securing spots in India A for their consistent showings. They are currently representing India A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 Tournament in Doha, Qatar.
Harsh, who was roped in by SRH last season as a replacement for Ravichandran Smaran, made an immediate impression. The left-arm spinner claimed three wickets in the matches he featured in, including the notable dismissal of Virat Kohli.
This season marks Yash Thakur’s fourth IPL stint after debuting with Lucknow Super Giants in 2023. He also holds the distinction of being the only bowler to take a five-wicket haul against Gujarat Giants in the 2024 IPL.
The Rajasthan Royals have once again backed Shubham Dubey, retaining the hard-hitting left-handed batter for another season. Shubham has delivered impactful performances whenever given opportunities over the past two years.
With multiple Vidarbha players maintaining their IPL presence, the region’s cricketing prowess continues to gain national prominence.
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