The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League concluded on a historic note as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their title drought to lift their maiden IPL trophy. One of the standout performers contributing to RCB’s success was Vidarbha’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Fresh off a stellar season, Jitesh now shifts his focus to the inaugural Vidarbha Pro T20 League, where he is set to lead the NECO Master Blaster side.
Jitesh was in superb touch throughout the IPL season, amassing 261 runs in 15 matches. He maintained a remarkable strike rate of 176.35 and averaged an impressive 37.28, showcasing his value as a dynamic middle-order batter. He will look to carry that form into the Vidarbha Pro T20 League, scheduled from June 5 to June 15 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Nagpur.
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His team, the NECO Master Blasters, will kick off their campaign against the Bharat Rangers on June 6. Apart from these two teams, the league also features the Nagpur Heroz, Nagpur Titans, Orange Tigers, and Pragariya Strikers, creating a competitive six-team format.
Will IPL Winner Jitesh Sharma Lead NECO Master Blaster in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League? https://t.co/yqk0Y6Lot1
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The tournament will begin with a clash between the Pragariya Strikers, led by Yash Kadam, and the Nagpur Titans, captained by Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy-winning leader Akshay Wadkar. That opening match is slated for a 2:45 pm start.
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While several local stars are expected to shine, the league will miss a few marquee names. Notably, Karun Nair and Harsh Dubey will not feature as both are currently on national duty in England. Nair, part of India’s Test squad for the five-match series against England, recently struck a stunning double century, while Dubey, representing India A, chipped in with a quickfire 32 and picked up a wicket in the first unofficial Test against the England Lions.
