Nagpur, March 1 -- Had things unfolded differently two seasons ago, Karun Nair might have been playing for Kerala. After Karnataka unceremoniously dropped him, Nair reached out to Kerala, but they couldn't commit at the time. Having already spent an entire season without competitive cricket, he couldn't afford to wait. That's when Vidarbha came knocking, and he seized the opportunity, as per ESPNcricinfo.

Two seasons later, Nair is leading Vidarbha's charge toward their third Ranji Trophy title. He batted the entire day, crafting an unbeaten 132, his 23rd first-class century and fourth of the season pushing Vidarbha's lead to 286 at stumps with six wickets in hand. If he lifts the trophy, it will be his third, having won his first two wi...