Vidarbha batter Karun Nair let his bat do the talking in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final against Kerala at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. Nair scored his ninth century of the season also pulled out the 'nine' celebration on Day 4 of the final. The experienced batter who has been in tremendous form of late was asked whether he has done enough to receive a Test recall. The Jodhpur-born batter said that his focus is on performance rather than worrying about the future.
“I'm not the right person to ask. I cannot comment on that. I have to just say that I have to keep performing in every game that I get and if it happens, it happens. I have to do my job to the best,” Nair told the reporters after his unbeaten 132-run knock helped Vidarbha accumulate a 286-run lead ahead of Day 5.
Nair opened up about his 'nine' celebration. He made it clear that it was directed towards Vidarbha support staff and not the Indian selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar.
“I'd been speaking about it before this match that I've got eight (centuries), if I score another one, I'll show nine,” said Nair.
“I was just speaking to some of our sidearm throwers, Yash Thorat, who always help us with batting and everything. We were speaking and I said to him that if I do score a hundred, I'll show him the nine, so it was discussed."
When pressed on the matter if it was not just meant for support staff, he was quick to say, 'You can take it however you want".
Nair disappointed over not getting hundred in first innings
Nair rued not being able to get to the century in the first innings as well. He was run out for 86. However, he made it count in the second innings when batting became tougher on Day 4.
“Yeah, of course, I was very disappointed I got run out because I knew that it was there to take, the hundred. I felt I (had) missed out. I was really determined to make it count,” Nair said.
“But the second innings are never easy because of the wicket deteriorating, playing on the fourth day. It's never easy. I had that in the back of my mind. I wanted to go out there and put my full efforts,” he said.
Fourth Ranji final for Nair
Nair is happy to be playing in his fourth Ranji Trophy final. He played the first three finals for Karnataka.
“I just think about it as not many people have the opportunity to play finals and I've been lucky to play four finals,” said the former Karnataka batter.
“Just (to) make sure, always keep thinking that we are all very lucky to be getting this opportunity so just make the most of it. Try your best and be focused and be determined to do well in such matches because not everyone gets to play such matches,” he added.
Nair makes a strong case for England tour
After a fruitful Vijay Hazare Trophy season where he accumulated 779 runs from nine games including five centuries and one fifty, this is his fourth century in Ranji Trophy. He averages well above 50 in the red-ball season.
India will begin their next World Test Championship (WTC) campaign on England tour with a five-Test series. Nair has had experience in England playing County cricket for Northamptonshire. Chief selector Agarkar admitted that Nair was on radar and it is yet to be seen whether India's second triple centurion in Tests gets a recall or not.