Karun Nair struck his 27th first-class century on the fourth morning of Karnataka's Ranji Trophy 2026/27 opener against Andhra at Vijayawada on Wednesday, keeping his side's hopes of saving the match alive.
Nair brought up the hundred in Karnataka's second innings as the team battled to build a lead after conceding a first-innings deficit. At the time of the milestone, Karnataka were 248 for 6 after 79 overs, leading by 104 runs, with Nair the key batter standing between Andhra and a result.
The rescue act
Nair had resumed the day looking to extend his overnight half-century, and his innings came at a moment of crisis. Karnataka lost captain Smaran Ravichandran around the time Nair reached three figures, underlining how much of the team's resistance rested on the senior batter's shoulders.
The rescue effort began on day three, when Nair's unbeaten 81 steadied Karnataka after early wickets, including those of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, had left the side in trouble. Karnataka had managed 274 in their first innings in reply to Andhra's 418.
The broader round
The opening round of the season has already produced several standout performances. In Saurashtra, Ravindra Jadeja followed his century with three for 40 against Chhattisgarh, while Hyderabad completed a win over Tripura and Mumbai defeated Chandigarh by an innings and 155 runs.
For Nair, the century adds to a consistent recent run of domestic form and strengthens his case as one of the most reliable red-ball batters in the domestic circuit this season.
Sources:
Ranji Trophy live score, day four: Karun Nair scores 27th FC century — Sportstar
Ranji Trophy 2026/27 round one, live updates — Wisden
Nair brought up the hundred in Karnataka's second innings as the team battled to build a lead after conceding a first-innings deficit. At the time of the milestone, Karnataka were 248 for 6 after 79 overs, leading by 104 runs, with Nair the key batter standing between Andhra and a result.
The rescue act
Nair had resumed the day looking to extend his overnight half-century, and his innings came at a moment of crisis. Karnataka lost captain Smaran Ravichandran around the time Nair reached three figures, underlining how much of the team's resistance rested on the senior batter's shoulders.
The rescue effort began on day three, when Nair's unbeaten 81 steadied Karnataka after early wickets, including those of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, had left the side in trouble. Karnataka had managed 274 in their first innings in reply to Andhra's 418.
The broader round
The opening round of the season has already produced several standout performances. In Saurashtra, Ravindra Jadeja followed his century with three for 40 against Chhattisgarh, while Hyderabad completed a win over Tripura and Mumbai defeated Chandigarh by an innings and 155 runs.
For Nair, the century adds to a consistent recent run of domestic form and strengthens his case as one of the most reliable red-ball batters in the domestic circuit this season.
Sources:
Ranji Trophy live score, day four: Karun Nair scores 27th FC century — Sportstar
Ranji Trophy 2026/27 round one, live updates — Wisden
