A true domestic stalwart, Karun Nair has made heads turn in the Indian cricketing spectrum with his exemplary performances. The batter finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign for Vidarbha with 779 runs to his name in 9 innings, from which he remained unbeaten in 8. Nair’s consistent show helped Vidarbha reach the final of India’s premier 50-over domestic competition, though his team suffered a defeat in the final against Karnataka. Nair, who has featured for India in 6 Tests and 2 ODIs, last donned the national team jersey in 2017. His breathtaking show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy saw many former cricketers rally behind his name, though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar couldn’t fix him in the Champions Trophy squad.

Once averaging over 700 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, you arguably made every single Indian cricket fan stand up and advocate your selection on social media platforms. It seemed like a movement was triggered for your re-entry into the Indian team. Several former cricketers also spoke admirably about your performances and supported your case. How did you feel to see your name trending on social media charts at the top?

Obviously, it felt very good, really happy and satisfied with the way I was able to bat and perform for my team with Vidarbha in this ongoing trophy. And also in the last 12 to 16 months I’ve been batting really well, scoring a lot of runs in all formats. So really happy with how it has been taken and all that is running in my mind at the moment is to keep continuing the same way and keep scoring in every game that I play and take one game at a time in whichever format that I play.

The BCCI seems to be pushing for players to re-enter the domestic cricket arena, even for national selection. Does this push for domestic cricket make you believe more in your potential Team India return?

Yeah, obviously it’s very heartening to see a lot of guys who are part of the Indian team coming and playing the Ranji trophy. So obviously it gives all the domestic players a huge boost as you are able to play against the best players in the country and to test yourself against the best. So obviously it gives a lot of confidence if you can do well and it increases the belief and confidence level in your own game.

It’s been a while since you represented India and it’s tough to keep the fire burning. What did you do to keep yourself going? Maybe a few others who are on the cusp of giving up can take a lesson or two from you.

Yeah, it’s been a while since I represented India. What I have done at least is to focus on myself, to make sure that I keep getting better every day, and try to find ways of bettering myself in all aspects of the game in terms of cricket skills, and training. Also as a human being try to be better every single day learn from other people learn how they go about their work in the cricket field and also in their lives and just keep it simple, taking one day at a time and respecting each day as it comes.

Your IPL career has been a little unfulfilling. Now with Delhi Capitals, what are your expectations from this season?

Yeah, I’m really excited about getting back into the IPL with the Delhi capitals. Really thankful to them for showing faith in me and giving me an opportunity. Now it’s about me going out there and making sure that I grab that opportunity and do well for the team and make sure that I give my 100% and hopefully we can come away with a trophy at the end of the season.

Hours after his omission from Team India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, Vidarbha captain Karun Nair dream run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy came to an end with a 27-run knock in the final against Karnataka. Nair, who had scored 752 runs in seven games in the lead up to the final, was undone by an excellent delivery from pacer Prasidh Krishna. Nair was beaten all ends up as the ball kept low and nipped back in sharply to rattle the stumps.

Big wicket

Prasidh Krishna gets the crucial wicket of Karun Nair #VijayHazareTrophy @IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard https://t.co/ZZjfWXaajB pic.twitter.com/0D0CUIyuYO

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 18, 2025

Nair’s dismissal saw Vidarbha reduced to 88/2 while chasing 349 against Karnataka in the final.

Earlier, Ravichandran Smaran smashed a century to power Karnataka to 348/6 in 50 overs.

Krishnan Shrijith and Abhinav Manohar also scored half-centuries to propel Karnataka to a big total.

Meanwhile, Nair’s omission from the Champions Trophy squad will raise questions about the relevance for scoring heavily in domestic cricket.

Head of BCCI’s selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, admitted that it was indeed tough to include Karun in a squad of 15 in the current situation.

“Yeah, it is tough. Those are really special performances. I mean, someone who averages – 700-plus, 750-plus. We did have a chat (about Karun),” Agarkar said in the press meet to announce the Indian squads here on Saturday.

“But at the moment, to find a spot in this team is very difficult. I mean, look at the guys who’ve been picked. All average well in excess of mid-40s.

“So, unfortunately, you can’t fit everyone in. It’s a squad of 15. But those performances (like Karun) certainly make you take notice,” he added.

So, what precisely is the team combination that Agarkar was talking about? In domestic cricket, Karun bats the highest at No. 3, and at times, comes at either No. 4 or 5, depending on the conditions.

However, those slots in the Indian team are occupied by Virat Kohli, a titan in one-dayers, Shreyas Iyer, who averages close to 50 in ODIs, and either KL Rahul, a proven, flexible 50-over batter who also keep wickets, or Rishabh Pant, an explosive left-handed batter and the first-choice stumper-batter.

(With PTI Inputs)

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar lauded Vidarbha batter Karun Nair amid his purple patch in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, saying that performances like this just do not happen out of nowhere, they come from “immense focus and hard work”. Nair, who is captaining Vidarbha in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, will play the title clash against his former team Karnataka at Vadodara on Saturday. Nair is the top-run-getter in the tournamen so far, having accumulated a massive 752 runs in seven matches at a mind-boggling average of 752.00 due to him being unbeaten in six innings.

He has also scored five centuries and a fifty in the competition, with the best score of 163*. His strike rate is 125.96.

Taking to X, Sachin wrote, “Scoring 752 runs in 7 innings with 5 centuries is nothing short of extraordinary, @karun126. Performances like these don’t just happen, they come from immense focus and hard work. Keep going strong and make every opportunity count!”

Scoring 752 runs in 7 innings with 5 centuries is nothing short of extraordinary, @karun126. Performances like these don’t just happen, they come from immense focus and hard work. Keep going strong and make every opportunity count!

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 17, 2025

In the semifinal against Maharashtra on Thursday, Nair made a quickfire 88* in 44 balls, with nine fours and five sixes to guide Vidarbha to a match-winning total of 380 runs. Maharashtra could only make 311/7.

Nair is on the verge of breaking an all-time record in the tournament. If he scores 79 more runs in the tournament, he will overtake Tamil Nadu batter Narayan Jagadeesan’s tally of 830 runs (in eight matches, at an average of 138.33, with a strike rate of over 125 and five centuries, a best score of 277) during the 2022/23 edition of the competition.

This strong performance in the tournament has earned Nair acclaim from the cricketing fraternity and fans alike, with many demanding he gets another call to the Indian team. Having last played for India in March 2017, Nair was the only Test triple centurion for India after legendary opener Virender Sehwag.

In six Tests for India since his debut in 2016, he made 374 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.33, with best score of 303*. Nair also played two ODIs for India, scoring 46 runs with best score of 39.

Veteran batter Karun Nair is eyeing a comeback into the Indian cricket team, following his purple patch with the bat in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. In six matches, the Vidarbha batter has amassed 664 runs with five centuries and an impressive strike rate of 120.07. Nair has been dismissed just once in six games and is currently the top-scorer in the tournament, with fans and experts vouching for his return to the Indian team set-up. For the unversed, Nair smashed a triple century on his Test debut against England in 2016, but was dropped from the team three games later.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh is the latest to speak in detail about the selectors ignoring Nair despite his recent resurgence.

“I’m looking at his stats. In 2024/25, he played six innings, remained not out in 5, scoring 664 and that was his average. And he’s played at a strike rate of 120. And they don’t pick him. It’s unfair,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

Harbhajan also questioned the criteria of selection, highlighting that while seniors like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are being force to play Ranji Trophy, but those getting runs at the domestic circuit are getting ignored.

“Many are selected on the basis of just two games, some are just selected basis the IPL. So, why are rules different for him? People say Rohit and Virat are out of form, and you’re sending them to Ranji. But those who are playing Ranji and scoring runs… why are you ignoring them? When will these guys play? They are scoring runs here,” he added.

Harbhajan also called out the then selectors for dropping Nair from the team three games after he became India’s second triple centurion.

“I never understood how he was dropped after a triple century. It pains me that no one talks about players like him. He went to England with the team but didn’t get a game. For the fifth Test, they actually flew a player from India, I think it was Hanuma Vihari, and he played the Test instead of Nair. Give me the reason for this. Does it make sense? Different rules for different people… that shouldn’t be the way. When they are scoring runs, you need to play him, right? He doesn’t have tattoos, doesn’t wear fancy clothes, is that the reason you’re not picking him? Does he not work hard?” Harbhajan questioned.

Mumbai made a mockery out of Vidarbha’s total of 221/6 to enter the semi-finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Wednesday. By doing so, the Shreyas Iyer-led side smashed the record books in T20 cricket. Mumbai achieved the highest successful chase in a Men’s T20 knockout game, and are also the first team to chase 220 or more. They surpassed Karachi Dolphins’ previous best tally of chasing 210 against Rawalpindi Rams in the semi-final of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup 2010 at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

Recapping the match, Mumbai needed a strong chase and out-of-favour batter Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with an 84 off 45 balls (10×4, 3×6). Mumbai made 224 for four in 19.2 overs and they will face Baroda in the semifinals on Friday.

Under-fire Prithvi Shaw (49, 26b, 5×4, 4×6) reminded of the immense talent beneath his callous exterior with a powerful knock as Mumbai marched to 83 in just 7 overs.

Shaw fell to left-arm pacer Dipesh Parwani and that brought in a period of instability in the Mumbai innings.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer (5) and India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav (9) fell in quick succession as Mumbai were reduced to 118 for three in the 11.1 overs.

They still needed 104 runs from the remaining eight overs.

Rahane, who played a few sublime shots, fell when his side was at 157 in 15.1 overs.

But India middle-order batter Shivam Dube (37 not out, 22b, 1×4, 2×6), who was dropped early in his innings by Karun Nair, and Suyansh Shedge (36, 12b, 1×4, 4×6) clobbered 67 runs in a little over four overs to take their side home.

The frenetic run collection included a 22-run over by Shedge off off-spinner Mandar Mahale through a sequence of 6, 6, 6, 4 in the 17th over.

Earlier, Atharva Taide (66, 41b, 10×4, 1×6), Apoorva Wankhade (51, 33b, 2×4, 3×6) and Shubham Dubey (43, 19b, 3×4, 3×6) led Vidarbha’s run glut.

(With PTI Inputs)

Prithvi Shaw slammed 49 off just 26 balls to give Mumbai a strong foundation in their chase.© X (Twitter)

With polling dates announced for November 20, all eyes are on the grand battle in Maharashtra. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is anticipating a victory after delivering a shocking defeat to the Mahayuti coalition—consisting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP—in the general elections.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the MVA led in 153 assembly segments, while the Mahayuti was ahead in 126, falling short of the simple majority mark of 145. Meanwhile, buoyed by its recent victory in Haryana, the BJP is confident it can turn the tide through its cash transfer scheme for women and a focus on infrastructure development.

Maharashtra is divided into six regions: Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Thane-Konkan, and Mumbai. Each region has its own socio-political and economic dynamics. Vidarbha has 62 seats, North Maharashtra has 35, Marathwada 46, Western Maharashtra 70, Thane-Konkan 39, and the Mumbai region 36 seats.

A Kingmaker Region

It’s Vidarbha with its 62 seats that could be the kingmaker in this election. The contest here is predominantly between the Congress and the BJP. This region is home to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters and forms the eastern part of the state, encompassing the Amravati (formerly Berar) and Nagpur divisions. According to the 2011 census, Hindus make up 77% of the population, Muslims 8%, and Buddhists 13%. Notably, Vidarbha accounts for 46% of the total Buddhists in Maharashtra.

Economically, Vidarbha is underdeveloped compared to the rest of the state, facing significant poverty and malnutrition. The region’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, but since 2012, it has been grappling with severe drought conditions. Tragically, Vidarbha is a hotspot for farmer suicides, accounting for 50% of such cases in Maharashtra.

Historically, this region has seen close contests between the BJP and the Congress. In 1999, the Congress won 24 seats while the BJP secured 23. The numbers fluctuated in subsequent elections: in 2004, the BJP won 18 and the Congress 19; in 2009, the Congress took 24 and the BJP 19. In 2014, riding on a strong Lok Sabha performance and the Modi wave, the BJP swept the region, winning 44 seats, while the Congress was reduced to 10. This marked a significant rise for the BJP.

However, in 2019, the BJP’s tally fell to 29 seats while the Congress increased its count to 15. This decline was attributed to agricultural distress, farmer suicides, and factionalism between the different camps, leading to a statewide drop from 122 seats in 2014 to 105 in 2019.

Learning From The Lok Sabha Polls

In the 2024 general elections, the tables turned, with the Congress leading in 29 seats compared to the BJP’s 15. The MVA led in 42 seats against the Mahayuti’s 19, giving the former a significant 23-seat advantage. Of the 10 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress won five and the BJP two, while the MVA secured seven and the Mahayuti three. In terms of vote share, the Congress received 32% votes, the BJP 30%, the MVA 45%, and the Mahayuti 42%. Notably, the Congress won five of the seven direct contest seats against the BJP.

How did the Congress achieve this success? The party capitalised on agricultural distress and farmer discontent in the region. Its promise of guaranteeing minimum support prices (MSP) resonated with farmers suffering from drought and suicides. Farmers in Vidarbha, once BJP supporters, became disillusioned due to low crop prices, high input costs, and below-MSP rates. Additional issues like unemployment and rising prices compounded the BJP’s challenges in this struggling region.

The Congress successfully formed a coalition with various social groups, including Dalits, Maratha-Muslim, and Kunbi communities, which backed the party and MVA candidates. Dalits gravitated towards the Congress due to concerns about potential constitutional changes and the end of reservations if the BJP crossed 400 seats.

Anti-incumbency sentiment also played a role, with established politicians facing backlash over non-performance, resulting in defeats by newcomers from the MVA. Additionally, urban strongholds of the BJP saw lower turnout, with even Nitin Gadkari experiencing a reduced victory margin compared to 2019.

A Kingmaker Region

Vidarbha represents 62 out of 288 assembly seats, constituting 22% of the house’s strength. Notably, BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Nitin Gadkari hail from Vidarbha, as do MPCC Chief Nana Patole and Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar. The NCP and the Shiv Sena have limited influence in the area.

Given that this region is also characterised by significant rural and agricultural distress, there could be heightened anti-incumbency against the Mahayuti coalition. Demographically, some social groups lean towards the Congress, making it essential for the BJP to address farmers’ grievances effectively.

However, the BJP is optimistic that initiatives like the Ladki Bahin, a cash transfer programme for women, granting constitutional status to the SC Commission, and raising the OBC creamy layer cap will help mitigate discontent in the region. Historically, the winner of Vidarbha has gone on to secure the state elections, a trend evident over the past five elections.

Home Minister Amit Shah has stressed the importance of winning Vidarbha to maintain power, and the BJP must reverse the trend observed in this year’s general elections. The recent victory in Haryana may bolster their confidence to achieve what seemed challenging just weeks ago.

(Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist and commentator. In his earlier avatar, he was a corporate and investment banker.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Prolific Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran scored his fourth first class hundred in as many games before Priyam Garg’s fighting century for Uttar Pradesh resulted in a drawn game in the Ranji Trophy on Monday. Bengal took three points for gaining the first innings lead while Uttar Pradesh walked away with a point on the final day of the Group A fixture. Resuming their second innings at an overnight 141 for no loss, Bengal declared at 254 for three in the morning session with Easwaran remaining unbeaten on 127 off 172 balls.

Uttar Pradesh were set an improbable target of 274 and they could only reach 162 for six in 151 overs before bad light brought an end to the game. Having made 311 in their first innings, Bengal had managed to take a slender 19-run first innings lead by bowling out Uttar Pradesh for 292.

Easwaran, who resumed at an overnight 78, completed his 27th first-class ton in the morning. The right-hander is a strong contender for the reserve opener’s role in the India squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Bengal pace duo of Mukesh Kumar and Mohammad Kaif increased the nerves in the UP dressing room by removing the openers, Aryan Juyal (5) and Swastik Chikara (12), respectively .

Number three batter fought a lone battle for his team with an unbeaten 105 off 156 balls. He brought his hundred with a six over long on. Overall, he collected eights fours and five sixes.

Bengal eventually ran out of time to dismiss UP but Garg played a major role in denying them a victory.

Vidarbha beat Andhra by 74 runs in Group B Ranji Trophy match

Medium pacer Aditya Thakare and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey shared eight wickets between them to hand Vidarbha a 74-run victory over Andhra in a Ranji Trophy Group B match on Monday. While Vidarbha were bundled out for 118 in their first innings, Andhra scored 167 in response. In the second innings, Vidarbha rode on Punjab Kings opener Atharva Taide’s century, complemented by Aman Mokhade (53) and Danish Melewar (61) to score a healthy 366, thereby setting a target of 318 for Andhra.

But Thakare (4/47) and Dubey (4/69) and ably assisted by veteran off-spinner Akshay Wakhare (2/71) as they bowled out Andhra for 243 all out in 86.4 overs to ensure the win.

In Jaipur, hosts Rajasthan came tantalisingly close to registering an outright win over Puducherry, falling short by just 19 runs to settle for a draw but grabbed three points by virtue of taking the first innings lead in another Ranji Trophy Group B match.

Chasing 239 on the fourth and final day, Rajasthan could muster 220 for 7 in 60 overs.

Opener Abhijeet Tomar top-scored for Rajasthan with 87 off 149 balls, while wicketkeeper Kunal Singh Rathore made 59 off 126 deliveries.

Fabid Ahmed (2/46) and Sagar Udeshi (2/56) picked up two wickets each for Puducherry.

Earlier resuming their second essay at 207 for 6 on Monday, Puducherry added 74 runs for the loss of four wickets to set the total.

Akash Kargave (54) and Anand Bais (45) made significant scores for Puducherry.

Mahipal Lomror (3/15), Rahul Chahar (2/44), Khaleel Ahmed (2/64) and Manav Sutar (2/71) were the main wicket takers for Rajasthan in Puducherry’s second innings.

In Secundrebad, Gujarat defeated Hyderabad by 126 runs to register their first win.

Elsewhere, Himachal hammered Uttarakhand by an innings and 97 runs in Dharamsala.

Brief scores:

In Lucknow: Bengal 311 and 254/3 decl in 60.5 overs; (Abhimanyu Easwaran 127 not out, Sudip Chatterjee 93). Uttar Pradesh 292 and 162 in 51 overs (Priyam Garg 105 not out; Mukesh 2/58, Mohammed Kaif 2/4). Match drawn.

In Nagpur: In Nagpur: Vidarbha: 118 and 366 beat Andhra: 167 and 243 in 86.4 overs by 74 runs.

In Jaipur: Puducherry: 248 and 281 drew with Rajasthan: 291 and 220 for 7 in 60 overs.

In Dharamsala: Himachal Pradesh: 663/3 dec in 164 overs beat Uttarakhand: 299 and 267 by an innings 97 runs.

In Secunderabad: Gujarat: 343 and 201 beat Hyderabad: 248 and 170 by 126 runs. 

In Indore: Madhya Pradesh 425/8 decl. Karnataka 206/5 in 75 overs (Nikin Jose 99, Shreyas Gopal 60 not out; Kumar Kartikeya 3/68). Match drawn.

In Thumba: Punjab 194 and 142 all out (Prabhsimran Singh 51 Kerala 179; 70.4 overs (Sarwate 4/43, Aparajith 4/35). Kerala 179 and 158/2 in 36 overs (Sachin Baby 56; Rohan Kunnumal 48). Kerala win by eight wickets.