Karun Nair is unstoppable in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. With 664 runs in six matches, the out-of-contention India batter is the highest run-getter in the tournament so far in this edition. Interestingly, Nair is yet to be dismissed in the competition and has already scored five hundreds, en route to his team Vidarbha’s entry in the semifinal. Vidarbha will take on Maharashtra in the semifinal.
Nair made his India debut in 2016, following consistent performances in the domestic circuit. Although he played just two ODIs, the highlight of his short international career was the triple hundred in his third Test against England. In fact it was his maiden international hundred.
What followed is still a mystery. Nair was dropped from India’s scheme of things after just six Test matches with his last Test coming in 2017 against Australia. Eight years later, the right-hander is once again back in BCCI selectors’ radar, according to a report in The India Express.
“As India enter a transitional phase, with seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling in Tests, Karun happens to be a player that the selectors are watching with keen interest,” the report read. With ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in horizon, it is unclear whether the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will select Nair for the mega event next month of keep him in mind for England tour in June.
In case Nair makes a comeback, it will be helpful for India in solidifying the middle order, especially after Virat Kohli’s poor run with the bat in the past one year. In case, India look to move on from Kohli, the 33-year-old Nair is one of the best choices considering his performances.
Karun Nair’s scores in Vijay Hazare Trophy
In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair’s cores read 112 not out, 44 not out, 163 not out, 111 not out, 112 not out and 122 not out. Notably, Nair’s total in the tournament is so far the most by a batter in List A history without being dismissed. He is also the second batter to score five centuries in a single edition of the tournament after Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan.
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