WATCH: Karun Nair slams 24 runs in final over against Maharashtra in Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-finals; Takes his average to 752

Forgotten Indian batter Karun Nair has put up his hands for a national recall with spectacular performances. The 33-year-old has scored a truckload of runs during the ongoing season of Vijay Hazare Trophy. On Thursday, Nair did well with the bat yet again during the second semi-finals against Maharashtra. 

Vidarbha batted first and posted an imposing 380 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets from their 50 overs. 24 runs came off the final over of the innings as Karun Nair was not out on 88 runs from 44 balls with a strike rate of 200. The 33-year-old hit nine fours and five huge sixes in his knock. 

I.C.Y.M.I

4⃣,6⃣,4⃣,4⃣,6⃣

Karun Nair finished the innings off in style with 24 runs off the final over, remaining unbeaten on 88 off 44 balls as Vidarbha posted 380/3! 🔥#VijayHazareTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/AW5jmfoiE1pic.twitter.com/7VSZQxaQqX

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 16, 2025

Rajneesh Gurbani was tasked with the job of bowling the final over of the innings. The first ball of the over saw Nair shortarm pull Gurbani for a four. The second ball was a dot ball followed by a huge six over point region. The bowler was quick to bowl a yorker that Nair managed to squeeze past fine-leg for a four. 

On the penultimate ball of the over, Nair used his intelligence to guide the ball over the field for a four. Having scored 18 runs off the first five balls, Nair made it 24 runs in the over with a huge six to end the innings on a high. The 33-year-old with this 88 not out took his total tally of runs to 752, having just been dismissed once so far. 

Dhruv Shorey and Yash Rathod tons propel Vidarbha to huge score 

Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and bowled first and saw Vidarbha openers rule the roost right from the start. Dhruv Shorey, who had scored a century in the last game, continued his good form with the bat yet again. The openers added 224 runs for the opening wicket in just 34.4 overs of batting. 

Yash Rathod scored 116 runs off 101 balls with 14 fours and one six before falling to Satyajeet Bachhav. Dhruv Shorey was the next man to fall 114 off 120 balls as he was dismissed by Mukesh Choudhary. By this time, Vidarbha were scoring runs with ease and putting Maharashtra’s bowlers under pressure. 

Jitesh Sharma joined Karun Nair, and the pair batted with aggression to add 93 runs for the third wicket in 59 balls. Sharma was out after scoring 51 off just 33 balls with three fours and three sixes to give Mukesh Choudhary his second wicket of the day.