Ranji Trophy Final: Karun Nair's Ninth Century Elevates Vidarbha's Title Hopes
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Synopsis
Karun Nair's exceptional century in the Ranji Trophy final has positioned Vidarbha strongly against Kerala. His performance bolstered the team's chances of winning the title, marking a significant achievement for the seasoned batsman.
Key Takeaways
- Karun Nair scored a century in the Ranji Trophy final.
- Nair's performance solidified Vidarbha's position to win the title.
- This is his ninth century of the season.
- Nair surpassed 8,000 first-class runs during the match.
- He has maintained excellent form following the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Nagpur, March 1 (NationPress) In the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala, Vidarbha's in-form batsman Karun Nair showcased his exceptional skills by scoring a century in the second innings, placing his team in a commanding position to secure the championship at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha on Saturday.
On day four, while batting in the second innings, Nair entered the game at No. 4 with his team struggling at 7/2 after Kerala's early strikes. Building on their overnight first-innings lead of 37 runs, he formed another crucial partnership with Danish Malewar, his partner in a significant 215-run stand earlier, and dashed Kerala's hopes of a comeback with a smooth century off 184 balls. This collaboration extended Vidarbha's lead to over 200 runs by the end of the day’s final session.
This century marks Nair's second in a Ranji Trophy final across four appearances since making his debut for Karnataka in the 2013-14 season. During the first innings, he surpassed 8,000 runs in first-class cricket in his 152nd match and notably exceeded 800 runs in a single Ranji Trophy season for the first time. This achievement also signifies his ninth century of the current season, and his celebration upon reaching the three-figure mark reflected this milestone.
At 33 years old, Nair made a significant comeback with an impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign last month, where he accumulated 752 runs and secured five centuries in just seven innings. He has maintained this remarkable form into the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, scoring a century in Vidarbha's last league match against Hyderabad and achieving his 22nd first-class century during the quarterfinal victory over Tamil Nadu.
Nair participated in the Ranji Trophy final during his inaugural first-class season in 2013-14, where Karnataka emerged victorious against Maharashtra. The following year, he set a record with a stunning 328 runs—the highest individual score in a Ranji final—against Tamil Nadu, earning the Player of the Match award as Karnataka successfully defended their title.
