Karun Nair’s team India aspirations get a second wind with a List A world record.

Karun Nair led Vidarbha from the front and ignited the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy by scoring five centuries in six innings and taking the team to the semi-finals. The 33-year-old has scored 664 runs and is currently top of the scoring charts.

At the league stage, the former Karnataka batsman set a world record for most List-A runs without being dismissed (542). This marks a surprising change for Karun, who missed most of the 2022-23 season after being outplayed in his home state.

“We have had a good run over the last 16-17 months. I also played a lot of county matches, which helped my game and confidence as I was able to perform in difficult conditions. I have just been trying to enjoy my batting and it is coming out well in all formats,” Karun said in an interview. sports star About his recent purple patches.

“It didn’t happen all of a sudden. “It’s been several years in the making, so I’m excited to see how it turns out and I hope it continues,” he added.

Karun announced his arrival on the big stage when he became the second Indian to score a Test triple century in the fifth Test against England in Chennai (2016). But despite achieving the monumental feat in only his third Test, he disappeared from the radar after playing just three more matches.

His career took a further downward turn when his home state of Karnataka dropped him from 2022-23, keeping him out of action for over six months. But he found a second wind after moving to Vidarbha last year. He played a key role in helping the team reach the summit in last year’s Ranji Trophy, scoring 690 runs.

“It was heartbreaking and disappointing not to be able to play a full season,” he said, but felt it helped make him stronger. “It probably helped me get stronger, learn every day and put in more effort. When you are not given the opportunity, that is when you realize what you are missing. “I’m very grateful to have this opportunity once again, and I’ll just take it one game at a time.”

Looking ahead, the Vidarbha skipper feels he has matured as a cricketer and can still make a comeback to the national team despite his last playing for India eight years ago. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be playing county cricket. Why would you do something like that if you weren’t confident enough to play? very intentional From my side. I think I can do it, and I think I’m good enough,” Karun said.