Overview
- On day two in Thiruvananthapuram, Nair moved from his unbeaten 142 to a double century, rescuing Karnataka after 13/2 and anchoring a massive fourth-wicket stand with Ravichandran Smaran.
- He shared 123 with KL Shrijith (65) and then an unbeaten 297 with Smaran, who advanced to 139 not out, steering Karnataka toward a commanding first-innings total.
- Nair’s surge follows 73 against Saurashtra and 174 not out versus Goa, giving him back-to-back Ranji centuries before this double.
- His hundred on day one pushed him past 9,000 first-class runs, making him only the sixth Karnataka batter to reach the mark alongside Rahul Dravid and G.R. Vishwanath.
- The run of scores has thrust Nair back into contention for the South Africa Tests starting November 14, after a modest England tour, omission for the West Indies series, and competition from younger options such as Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal.