Karun Nair once again made headlines with an impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy final, scoring a magnificent century for Vidarbha against Kerala. However, it was his celebration that captured significant attention, leading to speculation about whether it conveyed a message to the Indian selectors.

Competing against his home state of Kerala, Nair exhibited exceptional composure, achieving his century off 184 deliveries. His innings, which included seven fours and two sixes, played a crucial role in propelling Vidarbha to a score of 249/4 at Stumps, thereby increasing their lead to 286 runs following Kerala’s first-innings total of 342.

This century represented his ninth of the season, and upon reaching the three-figure milestone, he made a gesture with nine fingers directed towards the dressing room.

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Nair's impressive performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy captured significant attention last month. He led the tournament with a remarkable total of 779 runs across just eight innings, achieving an extraordinary average of 389.50 and an impressive strike rate of 124.04.

His record included five centuries and one half-century, underscoring his exceptional form. Although chief selector Ajit Agarkar noted that Nair's contributions were considered during the selection process for the Champions Trophy squad, he also pointed out the difficulties in integrating him into the existing team structure.

Nonetheless, Agarkar indicated that Nair remains a viable option should opportunities arise due to injuries or a decline in performance among current players.

Nair's struggles

Nair's experience of being overlooked despite his remarkable performances in domestic cricket is not a recent development. His international journey commenced with great promise in 2016, when he became only the second Indian, following Virender Sehwag, to achieve a triple century in Test cricket.

However, an inconsistent performance in his subsequent three Tests led to his exclusion from the team. To date, he has participated in only six Tests, accumulating 374 runs at an impressive average of 62.33, in addition to two One Day Internationals in which he scored 46 runs.

As each season progresses, Nair has consistently added to his run tally, strengthening his case for a return to the national squad. His most recent century has reignited discussions regarding his potential reintegration into the Indian team. India is set to return to Test cricket in July, embarking on a five-match series in England; the ongoing Ranji Trophy final marks the final red-ball domestic match before this series.

Read Also: Karun Nair's Century Elevates Vidarbha's Position in Ranji Final

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