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Following a brilliant domestic cricket season, Indian and Delhi Capitals (DC) batter Karun Nair said that every game he plays is a "motivation factor" for him and he wants to give his best in every game to contribute to his team's success irrespective of the format.
Nair, who had a brilliant domestic season with Vidarbha with a total of nine centuries, including five in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the 50-over domestic competition and four Ranji Trophy centuries, was speaking to ANI ahead of his side Delhi Capitals' (DC) Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign starting from March 24 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Visakhapatnam. Speaking to ANI, Nair talked about his fantastic domestic season and hopes of his return to the Indian cricket team, "I think every game is a motivation factor for me, I want to be doing well in every game that I play. It does not matter where I am playing, just looking ahead, trying to give my best in each and every game. Contributing to the team's success and just try and follow the same process that I have been following this season. Trying to keep it simple and stay really relaxed." The dream season for Vidarbha star concluded with the 863-run season in Ranji, with an average of 53.93, four centuries and two fifties in 16 innings across nine matches. His best score of 135 came in the final and his team emerged victorious. A massive highlight of his season was the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day tournament, where he top-scored with 779 runs in nine matches and eight innings at a stunning average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04, with five centuries and a fifty and best score of 163*. He played a massive role in his team's run to the finals, where they lost to his former team, Karnataka. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 competition, Nair made 255 runs in six innings, averaging 42.50 at a strike rate of 177.08, with three half-centuries and the best score of 77. His team was knocked out in the quarterfinals. This strong performance has re-ignited hopes for an India call-up for Nair, who last played for India in 2017. Nair was the only Test triple centurion for India after legendary opener Virender Sehwag. With a tour to England set to kickstart India's ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign and India looking at a team transition, Nair could very well have placed himself at the forefront for a recall. In six Tests for India since his debut in 2016, he made 374 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.33, with the best score of 303*. Nair also played two ODIs for India, scoring 46 runs with the best score of 39. On the appointment of Indian all-rounder Axar Patel as DC captain, Nair hailed the cricketer for his versatility and adaptability. "We as a team only wish him the best of luck and we are here to support him and back him. We as a team will back him, play alongside him and give 100 per cent to him and to the team. He has got that experience, it is a big opportunity. He is going to step up and has been a part of DC for so long. He is versatile and adapts to every situation. Hopefully, he will bring these qualities as a captain," added Nair. Speaking about his excitement for this new season and preparations, Nair said that the team looks to play an "exciting brand of cricket" and hopefully get their hands on the title for the first time ever. "I am very excited to be part of Delhi Capitals, the squad is shaping up really well. We have had couple of training sessions, really good training sessions. Got in to meet a lot of the guys in the team, trained a bit with them, had some fun out there in training. Looking forward to the season ahead, trying to play an exciting brand of cricket and come up with some wins. Hopefully, at the end of two and half, two months we will be here with the title," said Nair. Nair is also excited to share the dressing room with his teammate in the Karnataka and India teams, KL Rahul. He also hailed India's current first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs for a strong ICC Champions Trophy with the bat, where he scored 140 runs in four innings at an average of 140.00, with the best score of 42* and unleashed a new 'finisher' side of him at number six. "I think it is going to be great; we have been childhood friends, we have played together since the very beginning. So it is going to be nothing different; we share a great bond. I am really happy that he (KL Rahul) has had an amazing Champions Trophy and an amazing few years in the IPL as well. Really looking forward to catching up with him and playing alongside him," he concluded. (ANI)
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