Vidarbha’s Karun Nair has etched his name into the history books with an impressive achievement—scoring 8,000 runs in First-Class cricket. The 33-year-old reached this landmark during the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur, on Wednesday.
A Milestone Achievement
Nair, playing in his 114th First-Class match, came to bat at the fifth position when Vidarbha was reduced to 24 for 3. Kerala had won the toss and chosen to bowl. Nair reached the 8,000-run milestone when he scored 10 runs during his innings. This significant achievement adds to his already glittering cricket career.
Recent Form and Previous Success
The accomplished batter has been in stellar form, with three centuries and one fifty before this final. In fact, he had scored over 600 runs in the ongoing season, including a century in Vidarbha’s final league match against Hyderabad and another in the quarter-final win against Tamil Nadu.
This Ranji Trophy final is Nair’s fourth appearance in a final, having previously represented Karnataka in two finals (2013 and 2015) and Vidarbha last year, where they finished second to Mumbai. His experience in high-pressure matches has made him a key figure in Indian domestic cricket.
A Stellar First-Class Career
Karun Nair’s First-Class career began with a bang in 2013-14, when he played a vital role in Karnataka’s championship victory over Maharashtra in the final. The following year, he scored an unforgettable triple century in the final against Tamil Nadu, earning the Player of the Match award as Karnataka successfully defended their title.
Record-Breaking Feats
Earlier this year, Nair set a world record for consecutive runs in List A cricket without being dismissed. During the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored over 500 runs without losing his wicket, surpassing New Zealand’s James Franklin’s previous record of 527 consecutive runs. Nair’s final tally reached 542 runs, making him the first Indian to hold this record.
In addition, Nair joined an exclusive club last year by becoming only the second Indian batter, alongside Virender Sehwag, to score a triple century in Test cricket. He also made history as the fastest player to register a maiden triple century in Test cricket.
IPL 2025 and Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Nair’s cricketing journey continues to flourish. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Delhi Capitals secured his services for Rs 50 lakh, adding to his growing reputation in both domestic and international cricket.
Karun Nair’s achievements speak for themselves, and his remarkable consistency in domestic cricket makes him a key figure to watch in the years to come. As he continues to break records and set new benchmarks, Nair’s future in Indian cricket looks incredibly promising.
