Karun Nair smashes 233 against Kerala, his second consecutive century in ongoing Ranji Trophy

Karun Nair has once again forced the spotlight to be put on him as he smashed his second consecutive century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 tournament. Before the two-match Test series against South Africa, he delivered a message to top selector Ajit Agarkar. In the Ranji Trophy Group B match between Karnataka and Kerala on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram, the right-handed batter reached his 26th first-class century.

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During the England tour, Nair made his Test cricket comeback after almost nine years away. But he only managed one half-century and just over 120 runs at an average in the mid-20s. Despite appearing comfortable at the crease, he was unable to convert his starts. For the most recent West Indies series, the batter was left off the roster.

Karun Nair knocks at the Indian team door once again after a solid performance in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26

Karun Nair has pushed himself back into the selection conversation with his batting performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He hammered 233 in 389 balls with 25 fours and two sixes in Karnataka’s first innings against Kerala.

This included a 343-run partnership with Ravichandran Smaran, who is batting on 174* at the time of writing this piece.

Given his current form, Nair might be considered for inclusion, as India has not yet announced their team for the Test series against South Africa. Sai Sudharsan, who is currently playing for India A versus South Africa A but hasn't had much success with the bat, will be his opponent.

In first-class cricket, Karun Nair also reached the 9,000-run milestone. With this accomplishment, he joined the select company of Rahul Dravid, G. R. Vishwanath, Brijesh Patel, Syed Kirmani, and Robin Uthappa as the sixth batter from Karnataka to reach the milestone.

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In his 123rd first-class game, Nair had amassed over 9,090 runs at an average of 50, with 26 hundreds and 38 fifties. He has performed admirably in the Ranji Trophy as well.

Nair has scored over 5,450 runs in 73 games at an average above 47, including 19 centuries 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.

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