LSG Vs MI ended in favour of the team from Mumbai. Krunal Pandya and co. failed to chase down a total of 182, that was set by Rohit Sharma’s men. They ended up at 101 for the loss of 10 wickets. And it was over. Mumbai Indians had survived the first eliminator and marched on to face the Gujarat Titans in the second.
Karun Nair, a talented Indian cricketer known for being only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, has faced significant challenges in his career since his historic feat in 2016. Despite his initial success, Nair has not played a game for the Indian national team since 2017. This article explores his journey and examines how he has been performing in domestic matches in recent times.
The Early Highs and Disappointing Setbacks: In just his third Test match, Karun Nair achieved an unbeaten score of 303 against England in 2016, becoming the second Indian player to achieve this milestone after Virender Sehwag. This remarkable innings elevated him to the forefront of contention for a spot in India’s middle-order. However, following his triple century, he was surprisingly left out of the next Test against Bangladesh in February 2017, making way for the returning Ajinkya Rahane. Although he played three Tests against Australia the following month, Nair’s performances were underwhelming, and he has not represented India since then.
A Glimmer Of Hope:
Lack of Communication and Conflicting Statements: The snub came as a surprise to Nair, as he later revealed that the management had not communicated the reasons behind his exclusion. He expressed his disappointment in not having any conversations about his omission and stated that he had not sought clarification either. Former chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, countered these claims, stating that he had personally spoken to Nair about his omission and discussed ways for him to make a comeback. The conflicting statements added to the confusion surrounding Nair’s situation.
After the national team dropped Nair, he experienced a significant decline in form, with his performances suffering drastically. Cricket enthusiasts had always highly regarded his batting prowess, which was evident from his impressive early years in domestic cricket. In the 2013/14 Ranji Trophy season, he scored three centuries in his first eight innings and averaged 65.11. Over the next four seasons, he continued to shine, accumulating 2,286 runs with seven centuries and nine fifties, at an average of 55.75.
However, in the period from the 2018/19 Ranji Trophy season until the present, Nair’s form plummeted. He played 14 Ranji Trophy matches during this period, scoring only 590 runs at an average of 25.65, without registering a single century. His highest score during this time was 81. Despite being named Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy captain for the 2019/20 season, Nair struggled, averaging 26.14 in 15 innings. His poor form extended to other formats as well, with underwhelming performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a lack of opportunities in the IPL.
LSG Vs MI: Huge Loss, IPL Exit And The Conclusion:
In recent times, Nair has shown signs of resurgence. Relieved of his captaincy duties, he started the current first-class season on a high note. In three innings so far, he has amassed 252 runs, including a remarkable unbeaten 175 against Jammu and Kashmir, marking his first Ranji Trophy century since December 2017. His impressive performances have earned him a contract with the Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming IPL season.
Karun Nair’s career has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with early highs and subsequent disappointments. Despite his initial success, he faced a lack of opportunities and struggled to regain his form. However, his recent performances in domestic cricket indicate a potential revival. Nair’s journey serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by cricketers in a highly competitive environment. As he strives to make a strong comeback, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await his future performances and hope to witness the talent that he possesses in abundance.
