TO PLAY FOR ODISHA FROM COMING SEASON
By Paritosh Pramanik
7-8-2026
VIDARBHA pacer Lalit Yadav has parted ways with Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) and has decided to play for Odisha from the coming season.
Yadav, took the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from VCA a few days ago and will be moving to the eastern state of the country in a couple of days.
“Yes, I got the NOC from VCA and I will be playing for Odisha. I wanted to explore new things and test myself in new conditions hence I decided to move to Odisha. I will be joining them in a couple of days,” Yadav told ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday.
Yadav said he is aware that the combinations in VCA set-up is not favourable for him and hence the decision to move.
Vidarbha now boasts of young pacers like Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Praful Hinge, Aditya Thakare to name a few and it would have been quite challenging for Yadav to sneak into the side.
“The combinations are now changing in Vidarbha cricket. There are new players (bowlers) who are rubbing shoulders with experienced players. I am aware of the competition now. Hence I decided to try my luck in other State. But my first love will be Vidarbha. Whatever I am today is because of VCA and I am highly obliged for the support I got from the association,” said the fast bowler.
Yadav has played 31 First-Class matches for Vidarbha. He has also played eight List A and 10 T20 matches for Vidarbha.
Interestingly, he made his Ranji Trophy debut against Odisha in 2016 at Visakhapatnam where he took two second innings wickets in a drawn tie.
The tearaway fast bowler represented Vidarbha for the last time against Tamil Nadu last season and could pick only a wicket.
Till date, Yadav has taken 80 wickets from 31 First-Class matches with five five-fors under his belt. His best of 7-56 came against Chhattisgarh in a Ranji Trophy match in 2018 in Raipur.
The 30-year-old seamer said he would love to come back and play Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) for Pagariya Strikers.
“I don’t know the procedure. But given a chance I will definitely play for Pagariya Strikers in the coming VPL season.”
Yadav said that he got assurance from Odisha Cricket Association for maximum matches.
“They have assured me of maximum matches in both red and white ball cricket hence I decided to test my skills there,” added Yavatmal’s Yadav.
VCA Secretary Sanjay Badkas confirmed that Yadav sought NOC some four-five days back and the association has granted him the same.
“Our (VCA’s) policy is simple. We never stop any player from seeking NOCs. We want Vidarbha players to flourish, anywhere. If they (the players) feel that they could do much better while playing for some other State we never stop them,” Badkas told ‘The Hitavada’.
Pacer Rajneesh Gurbani (Maharashtra), spinner Aditya Sarwate (Chhattisgarh) and batter Mohit Kale (Pondicherry) are a few names from Vidarbha who are playing for other States.
