Ignored India Star Hammers Ton In Ranji Trophy Final vs Kerala

This was Nair’s fourth century of the Ranji Trophy season — and ninth overall, including five tons in the Vijay Hazare Trophy — pushing Vidarbha to the cusp of their third Ranji Trophy title. And given the context of the hundred, it won’t be lost on Kerala anytime soon that they had failed to offer a professional contract to Nair when Karnataka had given up on him. With only a day’s play left now, Nair has all but shut the door on Kerala.

A dropped regulation catch in the 19th over of the day ended up having a huge impact on the innings as Nair went on to score another quality hundred, one that defied Kerala’s effort nearly all day. Danish Malewar also shone for hosts Vidarbha at Jamtha’s VCA Stadium as the right-handed batter followed up on his first-innings 153 with a resolute knock of 73.

The biggest moment of the day arrived in the 19th over when Akshay Chandran spilled a regulation grab at first slip off young pacer Eden Apple Tom when Nair was on 31. Eden’s length was short and the ball took off from the surface, and off the edge of the bat, lob towards first slip, where Chandran was required to grab with hands reverse-cupped in front of his face. But he could not keep the ball in control and it popped out of his hands. From thereon, Nair hardly gave anything away to his opponents.