Team India batter Karun Nair has sent a message to chief selector Ajit Agarkar ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa. The right-handed batter scored his 26th First-Class century during the Ranji Trophy Group B match between Karnataka and Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
Nair returned to Test cricket after nearly nine years during the England tour. However, he scored just over 120 runs at an average in the mid-20s with a solitary half-century. He looked settled at the crease but failed to convert his starts. The batter was dropped from the squad for the recent West Indies series.
Karun Nair Smashes Second Consecutive Century in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Karun Nair has pushed himself back into the selection conversation with his batting performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He smashed a century in the red-ball tournament against Kerala.
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The veteran batter reached the milestone off just 163 balls. Notably, he had scored an unbeaten 174 against Goa in the previous game and made 73 runs in the opening match against Saurashtra.
With India yet to reveal their squad for the Test series against South Africa, Nair could be considered for selection given his current form. He will be competing with Sai Sudharsan, who is currently playing for India A against South Africa A but hasn’t made an impact with the bat.
Karun Nair Joins Rahul Dravid in Elite List of Karnataka Cricketers
Karun Nair also completed the 9,000-run milestone in First-Class cricket. With this achievement, he became just the sixth Karnataka batter to cross the landmark, joining an elite group of Rahul Dravid, G. R. Vishwanath, Brijesh Patel, Syed Kirmani, and Robin Uthappa.
Nair, playing his 123rd First-Class match, has scored more than 9,090 runs at an average close to 50, including 26 centuries and 38 fifties. He has also been impressive in the Ranji Trophy.
Nair has scored over 5,450 runs in 73 games at an average above 47, including 19 hundreds and 19 half-centuries. His continued form this season strengthens his case for a potential return to the national Test team. He has scored 579 runs from 10 Tests at 41.35, including a triple century.
Karun Nair Rescues Karnataka After Early Collapse Against Kerala
Karnataka won the toss and opted to bat first. Kerala’s bowlers removed openers Mayank Agarwal and Aneesh K. V. early, leaving the visitors reeling at 13/2. Karun Nair walked to the crease under pressure and steadied the innings with his composed approach.
The right-handed batter added a crucial 123-run partnership with K. L. Shrijith for the third wicket. Shrijith scored 65 to help Karnataka regain control before Baba Aparajith broke the stand.
Nair then continued to anchor the innings with another century partnership, adding an unbeaten 183-run stand with Smaran R. for the fourth wicket. Karnataka ended the opening day at 319/3 in 90 overs, with Nair (142*) and Smaran (88*) at the crease.
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