KARUN NAIR’S INCREDIBLE DOMESTIC RUN

KARUN NAIR AN UNDERRATED ATHLETE

Karun Nair fell after he became India’s second triple-centurion in Test cricket as he scored 303 runs against England in 2016. His fall was not only out of the national contention, but he was also opted out from his selectors of his own state, Karnataka. After a year of him not having a team, he began his comeback at the DY Patil tournament in the start of 2023.

Karun Nair’s 2024-2025 domestic run stands as a example to commitment and dedication. He performed exceptionally for Vidarbha in both the tournaments such as the Vijay Hazare trophy and Ranji trophy have put him into the contention for the return to the International Cricket.

RECORD BREAKING CENTURIES

Karun Nair was consistent as he mounted five centuries in the tournament which included four hundreds on the trot and achievement that placed him along with legends like Kumar Sangakkara. He scored an unbeaten 122 against Rajasthan in the quarterfinals and also scored an 88 not out in the semi finals against Maharashtra which played a pivotal part in his team journey to the finals.

Nair had put up big scores like 122*, 112, 111*, 163*, 44 and 112* in his previous six innings. He has set up a record in the List A by scoring 542 runs consecutively without getting out, where he went past former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin. This glorious run of form had helped Vidarbha reaching the later stages of the tournament with Karun Nair being the main player as a captain and a batsman.

RETURN FROM ENGLAND

Before the domestic season, Nair had just returned from playing cricket in the English summer where he played with the team called Northamptonshire, where he amassed 487 runs in just 11 innings, which the best figures being 202 not out. It bothered him that he wasn’t selected for the BCCI’S season opening tournament called the Duleep trophy.

He, then joined Vidarbha ahead of the year 2023-24 after a season in the minor counties for Burbage and ER cricket club in East Wiltshire, where he stacked two hundreds and a half century in eight innings. Even though it was a step down, but he preferred any game time he could get.

Karun Nair

NAIR’S GLORIOUS DOMESTIC RUN

The Vijay Hazare trophy 2024-25 where he showcased in domination in the List A format. He played for Team Vidarbha, where he scored a massive 779 runs, where he became the tournament’s highest run scorer and where he earned the Player of the Series award. He averaged over 750 which is unprecedented in Vijay Hazare’s history.

In the Ranji trophy season of 2024-25 where he was the captain of the team where transitioned his stellar Vijay Hazare form into the Ranji trophy. In the big final against Kerala, he scored an critical unbeaten century, that being his 23rd first-class hundred and solidified his reputation as a compact and dependable middle order batsman.

A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION

Nair decided he needed to move from Karnataka to Vidarbha as he was facing problems in securing a place in the former team. This move helped him with a platform to show the world his skills and abilities give a boost to comeback in his career.

He found a team in Vidarbha through a chat with the former Indian pacer Abey Kuruvilla. It helped that he had a connection with the pacer who was the under-19 selector when he was starting his career.

His domestic run in the year 2024-25 has put hopes of a return to the Indian cricket team, since he was overlooked by the team for the ICC Champions Trophy. He has expressed that he wants to play for India again.

LOOKING AHEAD

Along with this performance, Karun Nair has found a way into the IPL with the Delhi Capitals, a team that he once used to captain, and after he was gone unsold at the previous auction. He believes that dark times are over.

This performance of Karun Nair has brought a plenty of attention and caught a lot of eyes in the country. With Nair’s experience in the English conditions before the domestic season and stellar performances in the domestic tournaments and with India’s tour of England, he could be in a contention for spot in the Indian test Team for the tour.

Karun Nair 2024

LEADING VIDARBHA TO RANJI TROPHY TITLE WITH THE BAT

In the final against Kerala, in the 1st innings, Karun Nair made 86 runs which was crucial in taking the first innings lead for Vidarbha with 37 runs. In the second innings, Kerala took 2 quick wickets and Vidarbha were 44 for 2 at one stage. Karun Nair was dropped at 31 at then Melewar and Nair joined hands for the second time in the game. They added 215 runs together in the 1st innings. In the 2nd, the pair added 182 runs together after they batted for 232 balls. Karun Nair played a stellar knock of 135 runs before getting dismissed but leading the team towards the title.

Karun Nair Domestic Cricket

CONCLUSION

Karun Nair’s domestic run is more than just statistics or individual accolades, but it is also a story of grit, perseverance and a desire to prove himself. Having once been at the top scoring a triple century in Test cricket in 2016, he experienced the competitive nature in Indian cricket, where things can fade away quickly. He decided to comeback from the start, playing for Vidarbha and taking new roles with the bat.

His performance in both the tournaments– the Vijay Hazare trophy and Ranji trophy reflected not only his talent, but mental toughness aswell. He maintained consistency through every format, against different bowling attacks and in big games, is a achievement for any cricketer. With over 750 runs in Vijay Hazare and at an average of 750 as well, and a hundred in the Ranji trophy final, he reminded the selectors and everyone what a player he can be.

His name is in serious contention for future tours after this performances and this journey is a testament to every cricketer or athlete that form is temporary but class is permanent and resilience and hardworking will only lead to a upward trajectory in your career.