The Ranji Trophy final featured a notable incident when Aditya Sarwate, a long-standing player for Vidarbha until the previous season, dismissed Karun Nair, a batsman with strong Malayali connections while playing for Kerala. Nair, who had anchored Vidarbha's innings with a resolute 135, had positioned his team advantageously. However, to accelerate the scoring, he made a premeditated advance down the pitch against Sarwate.

The experienced left-arm spinner, cognizant of Nair’s aggressive tendencies, adjusted his length and caused the ball to skid past the right-hander. Nair, deceived by the flight, found himself well outside his crease, allowing Kerala's wicketkeeper Azharuddeen to efficiently remove the bails.

This dismissal proved to be a significant breakthrough, albeit arriving too late for Kerala to mount a comeback.

The distinctiveness of the dismissal resonated with those familiar with the context. Sarwate, previously an integral part of Vidarbha's team, was now competing against them, while Nair, despite his roots in Kerala, was representing Vidarbha. Nair's innings ultimately contributed significantly to Vidarbha securing their third Ranji Trophy title on Sunday, as they claimed the prestigious trophy based on a first-innings lead after the match concluded in a draw.

Kerala fell short by a mere 37 runs in their first innings after Vidarbha amassed 379 runs, bolstered by Danish Malewar's outstanding century (153). Nair also played a crucial role in the first innings, scoring a vital 83 and aiding in Vidarbha's recovery after they found themselves in a precarious position at 24/3 on the opening day of the final.

Nair's stellar performance

Nair's extraordinary comeback in domestic cricket reached new heights during the final, where he achieved his ninth century of the season. This accomplishment further solidified his reputation as one of the season's most prolific batters, as he matched the legendary VVS Laxman's record of nine centuries in a single season (1999-2000), leaving him just one century shy of Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of ten hundreds set in 1994/95.

His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last month was particularly noteworthy, as he emerged as the top scorer with 779 runs across nine matches and eight innings, boasting an impressive average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04. Nair recorded five centuries during the tournament, significantly enhancing his prospects for selection in India's Champions Trophy squad. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that Nair's name was considered, but due to the established team combination, he was ultimately not included in the final 15.

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