Making a mark in a big
game can often be defining moment of a player’s career. And Karnataka’s
talented middle-order batsman Karun Nair can hope to be on the national
selectors’ radar after his gruelling knock of 328 in the recent Ranji Trophy
final against Tamil Nadu in Mumbai. The 23-year-old Jodhpur-born cricketer, who
turned out for Rajasthan Royals in the 2014 IPL, struck 46 boundaries and one
six in his 328-run knock, which came off 560 balls and was at the crease for
872 minutes, sharing a huge 386-run sixth wicket partnership with KL Rahul.
Karun, who went on to score 59 and 80 in Karnataka’s impressive win over Rest
of India in the Irani Cup final, spoke in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q How does it feel to be a member of a state side
that have won back-to-back Ranji titles?
It’s a ‘special feeling’
to be part of this talented Karnataka side. And to win it twice on the trot
makes it really worth remembering for many years to come. Not many sides have
won the Ranji on two consecutive occasions save for Mumbai who have done it on
quite a few occasions. Interestingly, this is the second time that Karnataka
have won the Ranji Trophy on two consecutive occasions – earlier we did it in
the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons. I’m really honoured to be part of the
Karnataka side.
Q Karnataka had dismissed Tamil Nadu for a measly
134 in their first innings and then Karnataka posted a huge first innings
score, which sealed the fate of your opponents.
Our bowlers really bowled well on the first day – they kept plugging away, dried up the runs and built pressure from both ends. I think we had conceded 60-odd runs in thirty overs and they lost three or four wickets in the process. The Wankhede strip had bounce for the seamers and other than it was a good wicket to bat on.
Q. Karnataka were in a deep hole at 31 for 4 when
you walked in to bat and then came the massive 386–run sixth stand with KL
Rahul. What was going through your mind?
Well, we were pushed on
the backfoot but me and Rahul looked to bat session by session and not think
far too ahead. We were glad that our big stand helped our side tilt the scales
in our team’s favour in the Ranji final.
Q. You had lean run in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy
season but you seemed to have reserved your best for the final coming up with a
massive 328 off 560 balls, studded with 46 fours and one six.
To be honest, I was not
out of form. I was getting starts and then getting out in the thirties and
forties. I told Rahul during our partnership that I want to get a big one and
make up for not capitalizing on my starts in our earlier games. Thankfully, I
managed to get a big hundred and it gave me huge satisfaction because it helped
my team win the match.
Q. There is cut-throat competition in the Karnataka
side. Most of your batsmen seemed to be among the runs. Must be a good augury
for the side?
Healthy competition
keeps every player on his toes. It allows every player to push the extra yard
for success, which means a player is not just doing well for himself but also
for the state side.
Q You played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) first
for Royal Bangalore Challengers and then for Rajasthan Royals. How much has the
IPL helped your game?
IPL has immensely helped my game, you get to play the world’s top bowlers and when you score runs against them it really boosts your confidence. Playing these top bowlers enables me to handle the bowlers at the domestic level with even more confidence.
Q Your state-mate KL
Rahul recently made his Test debut against Australia and even scored his maiden
Test ton. Are you confident that this big knock will help to attract the
attention of the national selectors?
Well, I’m not thinking
about all that now. I just want to keep performing, stay injury-free and take
it one tournament at a time.
Q Karnataka have shown
that they are a quality side. Do you think the state side can create the same
dominance that a side like Mumbai had in the past?
There is no doubt that
we have a talented side. Surely, Karnataka have the potential to dominate Ranji
Trophy over the next few years.
No comments:
Post a Comment