New Delhi: From being India’s second triple-centurion in Test cricket to not getting selected for Duleep Trophy, Karun Nair’s downfall was so steep that it compelled him to think that he needed to score a hundred everytime he batted to get back into contention.
It must have spurred him on as since then Nair has set a new List A record of scoring 542 runs without being dismissed, surpassing former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin.
The Vidarbha skipper has scores of 122 not out, 112, 111, 163 not out, 44 not out and 112 not out in his last six innings to become the leading scorer of the ongoing 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, leading his team into the semi-finals.
Despite amassing 487 runs in 11 innings in English County cricket with Northamptonshire, Nair wasn’t considered for selection by the BCCI selectors for the Duleep Trophy.
“At the time, I was hurting a bit. After scoring runs in England and scoring nearly 700 runs [690 at the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy] to take Vidarbha into the finals, I did feel I could’ve got a look-in for the Duleep Trophy.
“Initially, right through the first half of the Ranji season I kept thinking about missed opportunities when I couldn’t convert a few of my starts. But coming into the Vijay Hazare Trophy, I had completely forgotten about it, but I’ve just kept playing and have kept getting hundreds.”
Light at the end of tunnel
Nair had not only dropped out of national contention but was also culled from Karnataka state team. He spent over a year in the wilderness without a team then his turnaround began at the DY Patil tournament in 2023.
“I think, quite honestly, it’s even amazing to myself also to look at the results that are coming about currently. But I would say the only thing I’m focused on is cherishing each moment and being present in that particular game,” he said.
“I’m not thinking about the past or the future; I’m thinking about only that game and playing as though that is the most important innings of my career.”
Having previosly gone unsold in IPL auctions, he was picked up by Delhi Capitals for the 2025 edition. His truckoad of runs have made him a contender for India’s tour of England in the summer, nearly seven yes after being dropped from the national team.
“I’m quite relaxed actually. I wouldn’t be lying if I forgot about everything. But I don’t know, the way I feel about my game, in the mind, the way I go about things – it’s just different. I just feel different every single day I wake up,” he said.
“I’m only trying to shift my focus on winning games for my team and performing along the way. Basically, I’m only thinking about that at the moment, which is kind of the right thing to do. Quite honestly, I don’t know how close I am [to being in contention for the national. team]. Like I said, again, I just want to take it one game at one time. But yeah, I don’t know.”
Karun Nair has set a new List A record of scoring 542 runs without being dismissed, surpassing former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
