New Delhi: Karun Nair etched his name in the record books on Sunday by scoring his fourth consecutive List-A century. He now shares the second spot for the most consecutive centuries in the format with Kumar Sangakkara, Devdutt Padikkal, and Alviro Petersen, trailing only Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan, who holds the record with five.
Record Alert
Vidarbha captain Karun Nair has now hit the joint-most
s in a season in the #VijayHazareTrophy, equalling N Jagadeesan’s (2022-23) tally of 5 centuries!
Relive his fantastic knock of 122* vs Rajasthan in quarterfinal
@IDFCFIRSTBank | @karun126 pic.twitter.com/AvLrUyBgKv
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 12, 2025
Batting at number three for Vidarbha in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final against Rajasthan, the captain took charge during the chase of 292. His explosive knock of 122 from 82 balls, featuring 13 fours and five sixes, powered Vidarbha to a nine-wicket victory with 39 balls remaining, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
In the last three games, his scores were: 112 against Uttar Pradesh, 111* against Tamil Nadu, and 163* against Chandigarh. With a total of 664 runs from six innings, he is the leading run-scorer of the tournament. Having been dismissed just once, his remarkable tournament average stands at 664.
Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara set the record for four consecutive List-A centuries in the 2014-15 season, while Alviro Petersen matched that feat in the following year. Devdutt Padikkal, Nair’s former Karnataka teammate, achieved four consecutive centuries in List-A cricket during the 2020-21 season.
N Jagadeesan’s remarkable streak of five consecutive centuries came in the 2022-23 season, a record that is now being directly challenged by Nair’s exceptional form. With just a maximum of two matches remaining in this tournament, it would be unwise to bet against the talented right-hander.
Can Karun Nair Get Into India’s ODI Team?
Nair, who was controversially dropped shortly after his remarkable Test triple-century for India in 2016, has likely done everything possible to regain attention. His impressive List-A form is just a continuation of his consistent performances for Vidarbha in red-ball cricket and T20 leagues.
Back in August of the previous year, he had shared his aspirations of making a return to the national team.
“I feel like I’m batting as well as I’ve ever done. I am in a good head space, I know where my game is. I am just making sure if I get opportunities, wherever it may be, the focus is on making the most of those chances so that I can climb up the stairs again. It’s still exciting to wake up each morning and dream of finding a way back to play Test cricket. That keeps me going” Nair had told ESPNcricinfo then.
Despite his impressive form, making a return to the ODI squad remains a distant prospect for Nair, especially as India gears up for the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they are likely to avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Additionally, the number three spot is firmly held by Virat Kohli, and the middle order now has several strong contenders. Nair can hope the selectors acknowledge his form and consider him for the reserves for the Champions Trophy, with a potential chance in the ODI series against England, where Kohli may be given a break.
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