File photo of Vidarbha batter Karun Nair. Photo: Instagram/Karun Nair File photo of Vidarbha batter Karun Nair. Photo: Instagram/Karun Nair

Out-of-favour India batter Karun Nair on Friday (January 3, 2025) smashed the world record for most List A runs without getting dismissed, in the process lifting Vidarbha to an eight-wicket win over Uttar Pradesh in a Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) Group D match in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. (VHT Blog | More Cricket News)

Nair surpassed the record set by former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin in 2010 — 527 runs. The right-hander was consequently dismissed for 112 as his tally stood at 542 runs, setting a new mark. This was the 33-year-old Nair’s fourth century of the tournament and third consecutive one.

The other names in the list of batters to have scored the most List A runs without being dismissed are: Joshua van Heerden (512), Fakhar Zaman (455) and Taufeeq Umar (422).

The Jodhpur-born Nair, who has an unbeaten triple century to his name in Test cricket, began the 2024-25 season of VHT with an undefeated 112 against Jammu & Kashmir, before scoring 44 not out against Chhattisgarh. In the third game, against Chandigarh, Karun Nair hit an unbeaten 163 and then came up with 111 not out against Tamil Nadu.

Nair's hundred on Friday helped Vidarbha chase down UP's 308-run target in 47.2 overs. Vidarbha lost only two wickets along the way as Yash Rathod notched up an unbeaten 138 off 140 balls. Nair and Rathod shared a massive 228-run stand for the second wicket.

The victory also enabled Vidarbha to position themselves comfortably as the top team in Group D with 20 points from five games ahead of second-placed Tamil Nadu (14) and UP (14), who are on third.

“You have brought immense glory to India and have inspired millions of young athletes to pursue their dreams,” Mandaviya was quoted as saying in a media release.

(With PTI inputs)hot646

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