Karun Nair’s dazzling century propelled the Mysore Warriors to win by 27 runs (under the VJD method) against the Mangaluru Dragons in the Maharaja Trophy T20 league at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. Nair’s explosive 40-ball hundred helped Mysore post a robust total of 226/4 in their 20 overs. Despite a rain delay that led to a revised target of 166 runs in 14 overs for the Dragons, they fell significantly short, marking their second defeat of the tournament.
Karun Nair shines, becomes the highest run scorer of Maharaja Trophy, 2024
In the opening innings, the Mysore Warriors encountered an early challenge when Karthik C. A (11) was dismissed by Abhilash Shetty in the third over. Nevertheless, opener Karthik SU (23) and captain Karun Nair (124*) combined for 46 runs during the powerplay.
Mysore Warriors secure dominant win over Mangaluru Dragons
Karun Nair exhibited remarkable form, sharing a 47-run stand with Karthik S.U, the second-highest partnership of the innings. Karthik S.U, who had been reprieved twice earlier, was eventually dismissed by MB Darshan in the eighth over, leaving Mysore at 61/2.
Nair continued to dominate, reaching a rapid half-century off just 27 balls with an array of stylish sweeps and scoops. Samit Dravid, who had earlier struck a six off Nischit Rao, was dismissed for 16, just one ball after.
Abhilash Shetty’s return saw the dismissal of Sumit Kumar (15), bringing Manoj Bhandage (31*) to the crease. Bhandage contributed a quick 14-ball cameo, helping to build an 85-run partnership with Nair in just 29 balls.
Nair’s aggressive play continued as he smashed two sixes and a four off Paras Gurbax Arya in the 15th over. He then unleashed three massive sixes off Nischith Rao to reach a blistering century off only 40 balls, which included 13 fours and nine sixes.
He finished the innings in style by hitting five consecutive boundaries (two sixes and three fours), guiding Mysore to a commanding total of 226/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Mangaluru Dragons’ run chase was stifled early, with Karthik CA removing Macneil Noronha and J Suchith sending Rohit K back to the pavilion before the fifth over.
Despite the early setbacks, Nikin Jose (32) and KV Siddharth (50) put up a strong resistance. KV Siddharth struck four boundaries off Vidyadhar Patil in the sixth over, helping the Dragons reach 61/2 by the end of the powerplay.
Following a brief rain delay in the ninth over, the match resumed with the Dragons needing 87 runs from 33 balls to meet the revised target of 166 (VJD method). Shortly after the play resumed Nikin Jose was dismissed, ending a 50-run partnership.
Sagar Solanki (0) was dismissed soon after, and KV Siddharth, despite reaching a half-century in 25 balls, couldn’t steer the chase. The Mangaluru Dragons ended their innings at 138/7, falling short of their target.
Nair’s dream to still play in Tests for India
“I feel like I’m batting as well as I’ve ever done. I am in a good head space, I know where my game is. I am just making sure if I get opportunities, wherever it may be, the focus is on making the most of those chances so that I can climb up the stairs again,” Nair was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.
“It’s still exciting to wake up each morning and dream of finding a way back to play Test cricket. That keeps me going. I would love to win trophies; we missed out on the Ranji last year. I will try to correct it this year,” he added.
Karun Nair made his Test debut in 2016 against England in Mohali.
