Table of Contents
- Karun Nair’s Statement Knock Against Kerala
- How the Innings Unfolded
- A Career Milestone Amid Comeback Hopes
- The India A Omission That Fueled His Fire
- What’s Next for Karun Nair?
- Sources
Karun Nair Fires Century After India A Snub
Karun Nair is sending a loud and clear message to national selectors—on his own terms. The Karnataka batter smashed an unbeaten 142 against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy, continuing his red-hot form just weeks after being overlooked for the India A squad.
Batting at number three, Nair walked in after early setbacks and calmly steered Karnataka to a commanding 319/3 on Day 1. His knock wasn’t just about runs—it was resilience, timing, and a quiet defiance that has defined his recent domestic performances.
How the Innings Unfolded
Kerala’s bowlers struck early, reducing Karnataka to 38/2. But what followed was a masterclass in rebuilding under pressure.
Nair first stitched a 107-run stand with young opener Krishnan Shrijith (65), steadying the ship with textbook cover drives and precise footwork. After Shrijith’s dismissal, Smaran Ravichandran joined him, and the duo added an unbroken 174 runs for the fourth wicket, with Smaran finishing on 88*.
Nair’s 142* came off 248 balls and included 18 boundaries—a blend of elegance and aggression that reminded fans why he once scored a historic triple century in Test cricket.
A Career Milestone Amid Comeback Hopes
This century marked Nair’s second of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season and pushed him past 7,000 First-Class runs—an elite benchmark that underscores his consistency over the years.
| Season | Runs | Centuries | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 682 | 2 | 56.83 |
| 2024–25 (so far) | 412 | 2 | 137.33 |
At 33, Nair is no longer the “young prospect” but a seasoned campaigner proving that class and hunger don’t fade—they evolve.
The India A Omission That Fueled His Fire
Just last month, Nair was notably absent from the India A squad touring South Africa—a decision that raised eyebrows given his consistent domestic output. Many analysts saw it as another sign that his 2016 triple-century heroics had been forgotten by selectors.
But instead of fading into the background, Nair doubled down. “Every innings is a chance to remind people I’m still here,” he told reporters after the match, though he declined to comment directly on selection politics.
What’s Next for Karun Nair?
With the Indian Test squad set to be announced for the upcoming home series against Australia, Nair’s name is slowly re-entering conversations—especially with middle-order stability remaining a concern.
While nothing is guaranteed, performances like this make it harder for selectors to look away. For now, Karun Nair continues to let his bat do the talking—and it’s speaking volumes.