Karun Nair hundred headlines in the Ranji Trophy final

Karun Nair’s outstanding form in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy reached new heights as he scored a brilliant century in the final against Kerala at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Nair’s masterful knock played a pivotal role in steering Vidarbha into a commanding position, as they set their sights on securing their third Ranji Trophy title. His century not only demonstrated his individual brilliance but also provided crucial stability for Vidarbha as they battled for the title. Heading into the fourth day of the final, Vidarbha held a slender 37-run lead in the first innings after Kerala's resilient batting effort, highlighted by Sachin Baby’s near-century, which saw him contribute 98 runs.

However, Vidarbha's hopes were briefly dimmed when they found themselves in early trouble in their second innings, at 7/2, with both openers, Parth Rekhade and Dhruv Shorey, dismissed within the first 14 deliveries. This precarious position could have been a turning point, but Nair, alongside Danish Malewar, came together to stabilize the innings. Their partnership, much like in the first innings, provided much-needed composure and ensured Vidarbha’s recovery. Nair's steadying influence, alongside Malewar’s support, allowed Vidarbha to regain control and continue their pursuit of a third Ranji Trophy title. With Nair in full flow, Vidarbha’s chances of lifting the trophy grew stronger as the match progressed.

Karun Nair, having missed out on a century in the first innings due to an unfortunate run-out at 86, made amends in the second innings with a composed and determined knock. Nair played with great patience, carefully negotiating Kerala’s strong bowling attack, which included experienced bowlers like Jalaj Saxena and MD Nidheesh. He brought up his century off 184 balls, reaching his 23rd first-class ton with a well-timed push to mid-wicket off Saxena’s delivery. Nair’s steady innings was crucial in extending Vidarbha's lead beyond the 200-run mark, putting them in a strong position in the final.

The 33-year-old has been in exceptional form throughout the domestic season, surpassing 8,000 first-class runs and accumulating over 800 runs in this Ranji Trophy campaign alone. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure have been a cornerstone of Vidarbha’s success. With this century, Nair demonstrated his importance to the team once again, playing a pivotal role in their pursuit of a third Ranji Trophy title. His composed approach, coupled with his experience, has been invaluable for Vidarbha throughout the season.

Karun Nair’s exceptional run of form started with a century in Vidarbha’s final league match against Hyderabad and carried through to the knockout stages. His consistent performances played a crucial role in Vidarbha's victories, including a key contribution in their win over Tamil Nadu. In the second innings of the final, Nair was joined by Danish Malewar, who also played a vital role. Malewar contributed a solid 73 runs off 162 balls before being dismissed by Akshay Chandran. Despite his dismissal, the damage had already been done. By then, the partnership between Nair and Malewar had steered Vidarbha into a commanding position, giving them a significant lead and control over the match.