In a surprising move ahead of the 2025-26 Indian domestic season, quick bowler Rasikh Salam has parted ways with Jammu and Kashmir and will now be representing Baroda. The 25-year-old pacer was granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) to make the move. Brigadier Anil Gupta, a senior JKCA official, verified the decision and stated that the NOC had been provided about five or six days back. To IANS, Gupta explained: “Yes, we have given him the NOC. I don’t remember exactly when the NOC was issued, but I believe it was done maybe five to six days ago. If he wants to play anywhere else, what difference does it make to us? We have given NOC to six players this time. We have enough talent and enough pool of players with us." Rasikh Salam, who represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 edition, is likely to turn out for Baroda's team under captain Krunal Pandya. He appeared in two matches for RCB in the IPL and took one wicket. Even though he stayed on the bench for much of the season, his inclusion in the side of the title winners enhanced his portfolio. In five First-Class matches, Rasikh has taken 13 wickets and also has 13 scalps in List A cricket. Krunal Pandya’s Influence and Baroda’s Strong SMAT Record Indications are that Krunal Pandya, Rasikh's teammate at RCB and the captain of Baroda, was instrumental in persuading the pacer to make the switch. One of the sources, while in a conversation with IANS, revealed: "Krunal is keen on assembling a strong team this season and aiming for the trophy. He probably prompted Rasikh to make the switch." One of the other marquee signings for Baroda earlie this year is wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, who joined from Vidarbha. He was also a vital cog in RCB's first-ever IPL title victory this year and is likely to add solidity to Baroda's middle order. Rasikh Salam debuted for J&K in domestic cricket in the year 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Subsequently, he has played 23 T20s, 5 First-Class matches, and 10 List A matches. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 last season, he bagged 11 wickets out of seven matches. Though Rasikh played in just three matches during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January and sat out the remainder of the domestic season, RCB purchased him for INR 6 crore during the IPL 2025 auction. He had previously been a member of the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians camp as well. Baroda to Begin SMAT 2025 Season against Bengal Baroda, which has been one of the best-performing sides of the T20 format, will open their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 journey on November 26 against Bengal in Hyderabad. Under the skipper of Krunal Pandya, the team had made it to the final in 2023 and the semifinals of 2024. Pandya has captained the Baroda team in 27 SMAT matches and has won 19. The side has been one of the most consistent sides in the format in the last two years. Post their first match against Bengal, Baroda will play Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana in the league phase. The knockout stage of SMAT 2025 will begin on December 12, and the final is to be held on December 18. The knockout matches will be played in Indore.