Vidarbha's Karun Nair continued his century spree in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-2024 match against Maharashtra which proved instrumental on Day 2. The seasoned batter hammered his 18th First-Class century, marking his second of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season and notably, his second consecutive century. Displaying scorching form with the bat, Nair reached his century milestone in just 160 deliveries, with Vidarbha positioned at 388/5.
Nair's Impactful Contribution
Entering the crease when Vidarbha stood at a comfortable 151/2, Nair initially partnered with Dhruv Shorey before Shorey's dismissal. Subsequently, Nair combined forces with Mohit Kale, adding 65 runs, and then built a substantial 149-run partnership with skipper Akshay Wadkar. This collaboration elevated Vidarbha's total to the 380-run mark. Nair's personal score stands at 128, adorned with 18 boundaries.
How the match progressed?
Opting to bowl first, Vidarbha efficiently dismissed Maharashtra for a mere 208 runs in the first innings of the Maharashtra derby. Maharashtra's batting lineup struggled against Vidarbha's well-rounded bowling attack, with Aditya Sarwate shining with figures of 3/43, while Yash Thakur and Lalit Yadav claimed two wickets each. In response, Vidarbha reached 439/6, bolstered by Nair's century and half-centuries from Shorey and Wadkar. They currently hold a commanding lead of 231 runs at stumps.
Nair's 6,500 runs in First-Class runs
Nair reached the milestone of 6,500 runs in First-Class cricket, achieving this feat with his 82nd run against Maharashtra. The 32-year-old batter attained this milestone in 94 matches, boasting an average exceeding 48. Alongside accumulating 18 centuries, Nair also notched up 28 fifties in red-ball cricket. His international career saw him play six Tests for India, during which he scored 374 runs, including a memorable 303* against England in 2016.
Karun's move from Karnataka to Vidarbha
Last year, Nair made a move to Vidarbha after being dropped from the Karnataka squad for the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. Having received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Karnataka State Cricket Association, he joined Vidarbha. It's worth noting that Nair had been a key member of Karnataka's successful team, even captaining the state side for a period. At Vidarbha, Nair has rejuvenated his career and has showcased impressive form in the ongoing season.
In the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy representing Karnataka, Nair displayed exceptional batting prowess despite limited opportunities. Featuring in three matches, he amassed 291 runs at an impressive average of 72.75, including a century and a fifty. Karnataka's campaign in the 2021-22 season saw them reach the quarter-finals.
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