Two seasons ago, Karun Nair found himself at a crossroads. After being unexpectedly dropped by Karnataka, he initially approached Kerala for a fresh start. However, with no immediate commitment from Kerala, Karun Nair chose to embrace Vidarbha’s offer instead. Fast forward to today, and the 32-year-old batter stands as the linchpin of Vidarbha’s charge toward a potential third Ranji Trophy title, following an unbeaten 132 on Day 4 of the final against Kerala in Nagpur.
Karun Nair’s Resilience Shines Amid Kerala’s Missed Chances
Karun Nair’s 23rd first-class century, his fourth this season, propelled Vidarbha to a commanding lead of 286 runs with six wickets intact. His journey to triple digits wasn’t without drama. On 31, he survived a dropped catch at first slip by Akshay Chandran off seamer Eden Apple Tom. The reprieve proved costly for Kerala, as Nair partnered with 21-year-old Danish Malewar (73) to add 182 runs for the third wicket, building on their first-inning stand that ended abruptly due to a mix-up.
Malewar, fresh off a career-best 153 in the first inning, showcased remarkable composure despite early jitters. He overturned two LBW decisions via DRS and capitalized on Kerala’s defensive field placements. Karun Nair, meanwhile, masterfully exploited gaps in the offside, blending classical drives with precise reverse sweeps to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Kerala’s Costly Errors and Vidarbha’s Dominance
Kerala’s day was marred by missed opportunities. Dropped catches, repeated warnings to seamers for running on the pitch, and edges flying through vacant slip cordons compounded their frustrations. Spinner Jalaj Saxena, Kerala’s standout performer this season, saw two edges evade fielders, while part-time spinner Akshay Chandran eventually broke the Malewar-Nair partnership with a glove catch to slip.
Karun Nair’s milestone moment arrived with flair: after reaching his century, he signaled nine fingers to the dressing room, marking his ninth ton of the season. His 800+ runs this campaign now place him among the tournament’s elite performers.
The Road Ahead for Kerala
With Vidarbha firmly in control, Kerala faces a nearly impossible task on the final day. Their hopes of a maiden Ranji Trophy title hinge on a miraculous collapse, but Vidarbha’s depth—highlighted by Yash Rathod’s composed 34*—suggests the trophy is within their grasp. Should they prevail, it will be Nair’s third Ranji triumph, adding to his titles with Karnataka in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
For Kerala, lessons from dropped chances and tactical missteps will linger, but Vidarbha’s clinical display underscores why they remain favorites to etch another chapter in their cricketing legacy.
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