Karun Nair is shining brightly in the cricket world. The 33-year-old batsman is in fantastic form during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, showcasing his talent and making a strong case for a comeback to the Indian national team after seven years. In the semi-final match on Thursday at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Karun played a stunning innings of 88 runs off just 44 balls, helping Vidarbha set a challenging target of 380 runs in their 50 overs.
Nair’s explosive performance included five sixes and nine boundaries, as he guided Vidarbha beyond the 350-run mark. He started the 48th over with 51 runs and finished with a flurry, scoring 37 runs in just 13 balls, demonstrating his ability to finish strong.
This stellar performance has taken Karun’s total runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to 752 in seven innings, with an impressive average. He broke the record for the most consecutive runs in List A cricket without being dismissed during the tournament. Notably, Karun has scored five centuries, with four coming in consecutive matches.
Here are Karun’s notable scores in the tournament: 88, 122, 112, 111, 163, 44, and 112 (with the asterisk indicating unbeaten innings).
Karun’s form comes just in time for the Indian selectors, who are expected to meet on January 18 or 19 to select teams for the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy starting on February 19. It remains to be seen whether they will recognize his remarkable consistency in domestic cricket and choose him for these important international events. His ability to build innings and then accelerate towards the end could work in his favor.
Nair’s journey in cricket has had its challenges. Despite scoring a historic triple century against England in 2016, he was dropped from the Indian Test team soon after, leaving many surprised. He has had limited success in ODIs, with only two appearances.
In the past, Nair felt frustrated due to the lack of clear communication from team management regarding his role. After being dropped from the Karnataka team, he went through a tough period but found new life with Vidarbha. Grateful for this opportunity, he knew he had to score heavily to secure his place.
Overall, Karun Nair’s impressive performances could pave the way for his return to the international stage, making him a player to watch in the coming months.
