From Being Dropped by Karnataka to Vidarbha's Run Machine - Karun Nair Opens up on Recent Form & Journey

Karun Nair has opened up on his current form for Vidarbha in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, and how he overcame the toughtest periods after being dropped from the Karnataka team in 2022.

Nair, who is the third Indian batter to have scored a triple century in Test cricket, lost his place in the national team after a few disappointing innings in the longest format back in 2017. The 33-year-old has since been out of reckoning in the India team and later also lost his place in the Karnataka team.

The right-handed batter has once again made a case for selection, having switched to Vidarbha in the 2023 season, and going on a run-scoring spree since, amassing over 700 runs in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25 season.

Nair has scored 5 centuries and 1 fifty, in 7 innings at an incredible average of over 700 for Vidarbha in VHT. Nair has stacked up scores of 88*, 122*, 112, 111, 163*, 44* and 112* in his last seven innings.

Before getting out for 112 against Uttar Pradesh in the group stage, Nair had set a new List A record of scoring 542 runs without being dismissed, going past former New Zealand allrounder James Franklin. Nair has said he is quite fortunate to be scoring runs.

"Quite honestly I'm very fortunate to be able to be batting the way I am now. I believe that I've been someone who can play all around the wicket, play in all kinds of conditions. It's been years of hardwork and practice," Nair said in a video posted by BCCI Domestic X handle.

"The way my mindset has changed is to finish the game off for the team and whenever I'm set make sure I go all the way and make the most of that inning," he added.

While he is in the form of his life right now, Nair recalled going through an emotionally and mentally tough time in 2022 when he was dropped by the Karnataka team. The Indian batter also said his family and close friends played a big role in pushing him to return to the game he loves.

"The toughest time for me was the end of 2022 when I lost my place in the Karnataka side. Mentally and emotionally it was very challenging. It took me few months to think about it and think what I should do going forward.

"Those few months really taught me an invaluable lesson to respect each day as a new one and respect each innings as a new innings, to got out there and make sure I give it my all and make sure I score as many runs as I can every innings," he added.

"It was a help of my family and close friends that kept me motivated in the tough times. They were really pushing me on to keep following the process, going to the gym every single day, going for practice. Telling me that you're just another opportunity away from trying to get back to the game that you love so much."