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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
Pratik Siddharth | TNN

Vidarbha's Jitesh Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Darshan Nalkande, Atharva Taide retained by their IPL franchise

NAGPUR: Vidarbha's top-rated finisher Jitesh Sharma had left a mark in the last edition of IPL. Similarly, Umesh Yadav showed remarkable improvement in the white-ball trade. Their franchises — Jitesh's Punjab Kings and Umesh's Kolkata Knight Riders — have retained them for one more season.

The other two Vidarbha players — opener Atharva Taide of Punjab Kings and Darshan Nalkande of Gujarat Titans — have also been retained. Darshan got to play a match last year and he had taken two important wickets. Atharva is yet to get an IPL game but has impressed his franchise time and again.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have released Vidarbha's left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey. The pacer has also been overlooked from the Vidarbha under-25 team. He was also not considered for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) due to a niggle.

Last season, Jitesh finished as the second-best strike rate holder for Punjab and 6th highest in the entire IPL (Criteria: at least 50 balls played) with 163.

New Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan and Jitesh both had hit 12 sixes in the last edition. Indian legend Anil Kumble has batted for Jitesh on multiple occasions and rated him high for his ability to play under pressure and finish games.

Jitesh replicated his IPL exploits and finished games for Vidarbha in the SMAT. The right-hander gave glimpses of hard-hitting in the SMAT semis in front of national selectors at Eden Gardens.

India speedster Umesh Yadav is in a different zone ever since he was grabbed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2022 auctions after going unsold in the first round.

The Vidarbha pacer worked harder under KKR mentor David Hussey and bowling coach Bharat Arun.

He responded well by showing excellent improvement in his white ball trade that not only helped his IPL franchise but also his county side — Middlesex. Now, he is playing a big role for his home state — Vidarbha in SMAT.

The KKR bowler had the economy of 7.06 in the last IPL which was the 7th best in the IPL (minimum 20 overs bowled). His 12-match IPL consistency got him his maiden county call with Middlesex. The control he showed in one-dayers in the UK was a reflection of how he has improved his white ball trade. Now, he is showing similar precision and putting Vidarbha on course. He was the leading wicket-taker (16 wickets) for Middlesex.

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