𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲:
'Dear Cricket, give me one more chance'.
Karun Nair tweeted this on Dec 10, 2022, after being dropped from his own state side. He's had a resurrection since then.
Since Aug 18, 2024, he is on a different planet, batting like a man possessed, across formats & conditions. Lets break down the numbers.
Maharaja Premier League: 66(35), 124*(48), 66(36), 45(23), 0(1), 13(12), 80*(48), 64(31), 4(3), 66(45).
528 runs at 66, SR 187.2, 55 fours & 29 sixes. Led Mysuru Warriors to the title, was crowned Player of the Series.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: 112*, 44*, 163*, 111*, 112, 122*, 88*, 27.
779 runs at an absurd 389.5, SR 124.04. 5 100s in 8 innings. Captained Vidarbha to the finals. Lost to Karnataka. Still took home the Player of the Series.
Ranji Trophy: 12, 43, 1, 25, 85, 123, 39, 4, 3, 105, 122, 29, 45, 6, 86, 135
863 runs at 53.93, 4 100s in 16 innings. The lynchpin of Vidarbha’s batting. Guided them all the way to the Ranji Trophy title.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: 77(39), 8(9), 65(32), 75(47), 4(2), 26(15)
255 runs at 42.5, SR 177.08, 3 50s in 6 innings.
IPL 2025: 89(40) in his first opportunity.
In 7 months, across 41 innings, Karun Nair has:
- 2,525 runs
- Average 62 across formats
- Slammed 10 100s & 12 65 scores
- Hit 70 sixes
It's not just his ridiculous form or the volume of runs, it’s the variety. He's bossed T20s at 180 SR. Dominated 50-overs at 125 SR. Anchored the grind of red-ball cricket.
In 4 tournaments, he's won titles in 2, 1 runners up & 1 quarter-final. Twice Player of the Series.
It's big 2025. The game demands sixes, smarts & steel. Karun’s delivering all 3. This isn’t merely a purple patch. Adhukkum mela.
He deserves the Indian call up. Call him up, take him to England. Let him cook! 🐐