Ranji Trophy: Leaner and fitter Karun eager to carry Karnataka forward

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Karnataka's Karun Nair plays a shot during the third day of the Ranji Trophy match against Andhra at the ACA International Stadium in Mulapadu on October 13, 2026. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri

Six weeks ago, Karun Nair’s exclusion from the Duleep Trophy semifinal and final had set tongues wagging.

If the 699 runs in Karnataka’s run to the 2025-26 final had fetched Karun a place in the South Zone squad, he was not deemed good enough to be in the starting XI.

But with a sublime, unbeaten 155 against Andhra in this season’s opener, the 34-year-old has seemingly moved past the disappointment.

Not only did last week’s innings rescue a point, but it allowed Karnataka to push for an improbable win on day four. Leaner and fitter than ever, Karun is eager to carry Karnataka forward.

“I felt like I was becoming too heavy and didn’t feel good last season,” he said after the Andhra encounter. “I wanted to do something to feel better on the field and be more agile.

“Whenever I get time, I work on my fitness. This time, it was more of a conscious effort. I have to credit Sai Prasanna and Punith Naidu of A3 Performance,” the India batter added.

Karun’s batting returns will be crucial if Karnataka has to end its decade-long Ranji Trophy drought. With K.L. Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and R. Smaran part of the National set-up, Karun has the responsibility to hand-hold a relatively inexperienced line-up alongside Mayank Agarwal.

“It’s a great opportunity for whoever plays,” Karun said. “Those who are waiting for opportunities should be eager to play in these kinds of games. I’m sure the performances will come.

“One thing we need to work on is starting both innings better. [We] can’t be losing two-three wickets every single time,” he added.

cricket / sport / sports event / national championship / national tournament / Karnataka

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