Karnataka's Karun Nair continued his red-hot form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-2026 as he tonked a robust double century in the third-round Group B fixture against Kerala at the KCA Cricket Ground in Trivandrum on November 2.
Karun Nair hammers stellar double century
Nair, who re-joined Karnataka after a two-season stint with Vidarbha, is only getting better match after match. His recent domestic success also includes a fifty against Saurashtra and an unbeaten 174 against Goa in the preceding rounds.
The double century marks Nair’s fifth score of 200 or more in First-Class cricket, proving his batting might in the long-format. This impressive tally includes a double ton earlier this year for India A against England Lions in Canterbury, as well as an unbeaten 202 for Northamptonshire in 2024 during a stint in England’s County Cricket. Perhaps his most famous achievement remains his indelible mark in Test cricket: he is only the second Indian batter, after Virender Sehwag, to record a triple century, having scored an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai back in 2016.
This latest powerful innings against Kerala is critically important for the 33-year-old batter, as it bolsters his contention for a sustained run Team India. Nair has previously been part of the Test squad, featuring in the series against England before being subsequently dropped for the home series against the West Indies. His consistent output across domestic and international First-Class cricket provides a compelling case for a recall to the national setup right ahead of the Test series against South Africa.
Nair's double ton helps Karnataka dominate Kerala
Talking about the match, Karnataka faced an early crisis on a challenging Bengaluru surface, quickly falling to 13 for 2 after losing both openers cheaply. However, 32-year-old displayed his characteristic calm and resilience, refusing to let the situation overwhelm the team. He initiated the crucial recovery by forging a 124-run partnership with Krishnan Shrijith, successfully navigating the side through the initial, turbulent phase of the innings and laying a foundation for a strong total.
Once settled, Nair took control, effortlessly shifting the tempo of the game. He executed a brilliant array of beautiful drives, confident flicks, and sharp cuts, leaving the Kerala bowlers without an answer. His dominant performance continued as he combined with Ravichandran Smaran, who provided vital support with an unbeaten 139. This formidable duo constructed an enormous, unbroken 297-run partnership that took the match away from the opposition. Nair ultimately converted his century into a powerful double century, scoring 233 off 389 balls (including 21 fours and two sixes), ensuring Karnataka ended Day 2 in a commanding and winning position.