Karun Nair sends strong message to selectors with daddy hundred in Ranji Trophy ahead of South Africa Tests

Karnataka's veteran batter Karun Nair has delivered a compelling message to BCCI selectors right with a splendid century ahead of the two-match home Test series against South Africa. The 33-year-old cracked an unbeaten 174 on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match against Goa in Shimoga on October 26.

Nair's return to form comes after a challenging period. He was notably excluded from the squad for the preceding two-match Test series against the West Indies, which India won 2-0. Karun hadn't retained his place following a disappointing series against England, where he struggled to make a consistent impact while being constantly shuffled within the middle order.

Karun Nair roars with towering 174 against Goa

The situation looked bleak for Karnataka when Karun Nair walked out to bat, with the team struggling at 65/4. Goa's Arjun Tendulkar had put the home side under significant pressure with crucial early breakthroughs. The trouble deepened as Karnataka slipped further to 128/5, with Tendulkar claiming his third wicket. Nair, however, displayed immense composure and resilience, anchoring the innings with a brilliant century. He reached the three-figure mark on the morning of Day 2, marking his 25th hundred in First-Class cricket and proving instrumental in steering Karnataka out of a difficult position.

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Karun Nair's Return to Karnataka

When the top 5 Karnataka batters struggled to notch even 30-run mark, it was Nair to stood tall. He had finished Day 1 unbeaten on 86 and carried his disciplined approach seamlessly into the second day to reach his century. This milestone knock also saw Nair reach a significant personal landmark, as he crossed 8,850 runs in his 122nd First-Class match. His career now boasts an average close to 49, built on the foundation of 25 centuries and 38 half-centuries. Specifically in the Ranji Trophy, he has been a stalwart, accumulating over 5,270 runs in 72 matches at an impressive average of 47.90, which includes 18 centuries and 19 fifties.

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Earlier this year, Nair made a brief return to the Indian Test side for the series against England after nearly a seven-year absence. He featured in four matches but struggled to solidify his place, registering only one half-century in the final Test at The Oval. His difficulty in converting initial starts into substantial scores ultimately led to his omission from the subsequent Test series.

It will be interesting to see whether Nair gets a chance in the Test series against South Africa or not.