Vidarbha’s star batter Karun Nair has been in phenomenal form this season, smashing his 9th century across all formats in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final against Kerala. His latest hundred in the final marks his 23rd First-Class century, proving his consistency and dominance with the bat.
A Century Under Pressure
During the third innings of the Ranji Trophy final, Vidarbha found themselves struggling at 7/2 early on Day 4. Nair stepped in at No. 4 and, alongside Danish Malewar, stitched a crucial 182-run partnership, stabilizing Vidarbha’s innings.
- Century Details:
- Runs: 100* off 184 balls
- Fours: 7
- Sixes: 2
Nair played a pivotal role in putting Vidarbha in a commanding position with a solid lead.
Record-Breaking Season
This season has been a career-best for Karun Nair, who has consistently performed across domestic tournaments. Some of his notable achievements this year include:
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Runs | 800+ |
| Centuries in 2024-25 Season | 9 |
| First-Class Career Runs | 8,176+ |
| Total First-Class Centuries | 23 |
| Total First-Class Fifties | 36 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 Runs | 752 |
| Hundreds in Vijay Hazare Trophy | 5 |
Nair’s Consistency in Ranji Trophy Finals
Karun Nair has a history of performing in Ranji Trophy finals. This is his fourth final appearance, and he has once again made a significant impact.
Karun Nair in Ranji Trophy Finals
| Season | Scores |
|---|---|
| 2013/14 | 44, 20* |
| 2014/15 | 328 (highest score in a Ranji Trophy final) |
| 2023/24 | 0, 74 |
| 2024/25 | 86, 100* (batting) |
His 328-run knock in the 2014-15 final remains the highest individual score in a Ranji Trophy final.
A Dream Comeback Season
Nair’s stellar performance in 2024-25 comes after a sensational Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 752 runs in just seven innings, smashing five centuries. His recent performances have revived discussions about his potential return to the Indian national team.
BCCI’s Acknowledgment
The BCCI Domestic handle on Twitter/X praised Nair’s incredible form, celebrating his 9th century this season, emphasizing his composure under pressure.
💯 for Karun Nair 👏
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 1, 2025
A splendid knock on the big stage under pressure 💪
It's his 9⃣th 1⃣0⃣0⃣ in all formats combined this season, and the celebration says it all👌🙌#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/up5GVaflpp pic.twitter.com/9MvZSHKKMY
Karun Nair’s performances in the Ranji Trophy final and throughout the 2024-25 season have re-established him as one of the top batters in Indian domestic cricket. With consistent runs in multiple formats, his form is a testament to his resilience and skill. If he continues this way, a call-up to higher levels of cricket might not be far away.
