Karun Nair has once again showcased his brilliance on the cricket field, leading Vidarbha to victory against Kerala in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy final held at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, on March 1, 2025. With his remarkable performance, Nair scored his second century of the Ranji Trophy finals, amassing 100* runs, making this his 23rd First-Class century overall.
Having put up impressive numbers throughout the season, Nair's latest century came after he started with 86 runs during the first innings. His contribution was pivotal when Vidarbha needed stability after losing two early wickets, as their innings began at 7/2.
Nair, who batted at number four, formed a formidable partnership with Danish Malewar, combining to form another strong alliance, reminiscent of their 215-run stand from the previous innings. Together, their performance kept Kerala's chances of comeback at bay, with Nair culminating his innings off 184 deliveries, featuring 7 fours and 2 sixes.
This century is not just another milestone for the seasoned batter; it cements his status as one of the finalists to watch. For Nair, who has returned to the limelight following a stellar Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign — where he scored 752 runs with five centuries — it marks his fourth century of the Ranji Trophy season. Notably, he became the fourth batter to surpass 800 runs for the season, with an impressive average exceeding 54 over the course of 16 innings.
Despite earlier converting only 86 runs to his name earlier this match, Nair’s contribution significantly raised Vidarbha's lead to 226 runs at one point during their batting innings. His performance throughout the Ranji Trophy has been nothing short of magnificent, particularly considering his career statistics, which now reflect over 8,176 runs and 36 fifties over 114 matches. Nair has also played for Karnataka before moving to Vidarbha after being dropped from the state team.
"I had offered myself to play for Kerala, but it didn’t go forward. At the same time, I got the offer from Vidarbha... I wanted to clear my mind and join a team," Nair claimed during his interview, showcasing the contemplative nature of his move to the Vidarbha team. This transition marks a significant chapter not only for Nair but also adds motivational value to the lesser-known Vidarbha cricket team, who are now reveling under the glow of success.
The win against Kerala, solidified by Nair's stellar performance, means Vidarbha is now set to clinch their third Ranji Trophy title, reflecting their steady rise in the competitive cricketing arena. The final match against first-time finalists Kerala showcased the resilience and skill of Vidarbha's line-up—especially with Nair's experience playing a key role in steering the team forwards.
For Kerala, the loss stings, not only as they fell short of claiming their first-ever Ranji Trophy title but also as they failed to capitalize on the opportunities provided by Sachin Baby’s commendable knock of 98 runs earlier along with their first-innings total of 342. Following the pivotal moments, Vidarbha's total of 379 became unattainable, painting the picture of what could have been for the visiting team.
By pocketing this win, Vidarbha does not merely add to their trophy cabinet; they carve out their niche as serious contenders within the Indian domestic cricket setup. Karun Nair's contributions remain integral to this narrative—solidifying his presence on the team and across first-class cricket.
Karun Nair now, with this victory and monumental innings etched on his profile, not only adds to his personal achievements but also elevates his new team’s stature. The cricketing world will surely be watching with bated breath for what’s next from this dynamic talent—who once offered to don the colors of Kerala, now shines fiercely for Vidarbha.