I do have aspirations of playing the next level - Karun Nair

Karun Nair had a phenomenal domestic season, reaffirming his status as a top-class batter across formats. He was the fourth-highest run-getter from the Elite group in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 863 runs at an average of 53.93, capping it off with 86 and 135 in the final against Kerala to help Vidarbha secure their third title.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was named Player of the Tournament after a record-breaking campaign, amassing 779 runs at a staggering average of 389.5, with five centuries. He also excelled in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leading Vidarbha's run charts with 255 runs at a strike rate of 177.08, including three fifties.

In a chat with Cricbuzz, Nair opens up about his all-format dominance as he reflects on his journey, performances, and aspirations.

Excerpts:

You've had a prolific domestic season, capping it off with a century in the Ranji Trophy final and securing the title for Vidarbha. How would you sum up this season?

I think, as a team, we did really well throughout the season. We competed in all three formats, we reached the knockouts of all three formats. I think barring a few small little details in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, I think we would have gone a little further as well. And again, winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, we almost made it and there were just about a few people putting their hands up in that final. That's it. I think Dhruv [Shorey] did really well in the final but if we could have had one or two more guys put their hands up and support them, I think we would have claimed the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.

So, all in all, I think we had a great season. We reached the final of Vijay Hazare. We won the Ranji Trophy and we reached the quarter-final of Mushtaq Ali. I think we did amazingly well. I think the team played as a group, as a unit, happy for each other. And as you can see, there's been a lot of outstanding performances from a lot of guys. So, all in all, an amazing season for Vidarbha.

Can you walk us through your journey over the past year? What aspects of your skills, technique and game plans did you refine that contributed to your success across all three formats?

Not really technical. Probably more mental than technical, I would say. I knew at the back of my head that if you had to make an impact, you had to score consistently and make sure that it's in a winning cause. So, that was the only thing in the back of my mind that I need to score consistently and every match is important, every single innings is important. And make sure that if I do get a start in an innings, then to go on and score a 100 for sure. Because 50s and 60s really don't make any statements. So, that's probably one thing that I had at the back of my mind and which, fortunately, I was able to do. Obviously, if I look back, most of the season I do have all these things at the back of my mind. But to actually go out there and believe that you will do it was a different feeling this time around.

You spoke about your mental preparations. Can you elaborate on that? What specifically did you prepare for?

Nothing specifically. Like I said, you have things at the back of your mind like goals. Goals in the sense that very present type of goals for each game. And try and visualise that and actually visualising is one thing and actually believing in doing that is another thing. So, I think I was able to combine both of those things really well this time around. And really believe in what I was doing and really believe that I could do it in the way that I knew how to do it.

You weren't part of the Duleep Trophy squads, and in a podcast with Robin Uthappa, you said something along the lines of 'I need to score a hundred in every single innings to kind of get noticed.' That's exactly what unfolded. Can you take us through that phase and what it meant for you?

That was the thought process. And like I said earlier as well, at the back of my mind, I had to perform consistently, which I thought I did even last season. And to not be part of the Duleep Trophy was quite a bit of a setback because I do have aspirations of playing the next level. So, from Ranji Trophy, to go to the next level - the next level is to play the Duleep Trophy and then score there. So, to not have my name there was quite disappointing. But I took it up as a challenge to tell myself that I probably need to go more. So, that was the thought process and I was fortunate that I could have the season that I had.

The thought process was very clear from the beginning that I have to score consistently. And scoring in every inning was that thought. Just went through it one at a time. And that's probably it, you know, keeping it really simple. And, I wanted to start well and I was lucky that I scored a hundred in the first game. So, to get a hundred in the first game was actually a blessing, to actually help me believe in the process that I had already thought about, to make that even more stronger. And just to continue that game after game and perform consistently for the team according to the situation, what the team required. So, that was all that was there in my head and keeping it really simple.

It's been eight years since your last Test appearance for India. How do you see the evolution of Karun Nair - the player and the person then and now?

A lot different, I would say. A lot more experiences, good and bad. And just more mature, I would say, to understand the situation and to process it a lot better. So, game-wise to understand your game also is a blessing and I probably know my game much better than earlier. So, that's about it.

The game has also evolved. So, how have you been up-skilling to be updated with the current trends of what the game demands?

I just keep practicing different kinds of shots. Keep evolving in your own game mentally and skill-wise. And, like you said, the game is evolving and to make sure that you keep trying to understand what the game demands. And keep doing that, and trying to inculcate that in your own game, and in your own way. I'm not trying to copy anyone or be like anyone, which would be wrong to do and tough to do. So, just adding small things in my own game along the way and that's kind of come in good stead in the last 12-16 months.

Breaking into any Indian squad is incredibly tough, regardless of the format. But your recent performances make a strong case. What are your thoughts on where you stand in the selection conversation?

Quite honestly, I don't know where I stand. It's a very difficult answer for me to give. But I'm very fortunate and happy that I'm able to perform the way that I am. And really eager to be seeing the kind of responses that I'm getting from everyone. So, about selection, it's a very hard thing for me to say because it's not in any player's hands. Players can only perform and do their job. So, after that it's about getting selected or not selected. So, it's really not in my hands and not something that I can say anything upon. So, all I can do is keep performing the way I am and let's see where that goes.

Which innings do you consider your best of the season, and what made it stand out?

I think my best innings...I think there are a lot of good innings, I would say. Probably the best innings would be in the [Ranji] final because it was hard-fought and it was a difficult situation. And also in white-ball, if you ask, the innings against Rajasthan in the quarter-finals. That was amazing as well. So, hard to pinpoint on one particular innings because everything came in different circumstances and different situations. But yeah, these two I would say were quite special.

Your move from Karnataka to Vidarbha - how did that transition come about? Could you share the key conversations and events that led to the switch?

How it came about is that I didn't play in the 2022-23 Karnataka special season. I was not part of any of the teams from Karnataka. So, that kind of immediately stated that I had to find a new team. And I spoke to Mr. Abey Kuruvilla in the D.Y. Patil tournament. I happened to meet him and I said, 'please can you find me a team'? And he said, 'yeah, sure'. And that's how he put me in touch with Vidarbha and that's it. And I signed the contract for Vidarbha.

How would you describe the dressing room atmosphere at Vidarbha? What's it like working with your teammates and coaches, and how does it compare to your time with Karnataka?

It was quite similar in terms of dressing room environment. I felt part of the family. Whereas in Karnataka it was more like we knew everyone from a young age. We played together, we grew up together. And here also, they all played together and grew up together. But they made me really welcome and feel part of that group. Which was really amazing because it's not often that you go into a new team and you're welcomed so nicely. So, I was really lucky and really thankful to all the players and the staff for making me feel really welcome.

You had a strong stint with Northamptonshire, scoring close to 500 runs in seven matches, including an unbeaten 202. How crucial was that experience in shaping your success with Vidarbha?

I think I've had a couple of county experiences and it's been great experiences. It's something that's made me believe in myself a lot more because I've gone there and done well. And I've been able to do well in difficult conditions. So, it's just made me believe a lot more in myself and in my game - that I can do well in difficult conditions. So, the mindset kind of swings you and gives you a lot of confidence to tell yourself that no matter what the situation is, you have the skill to play in that situation.

Cheteshwar Pujara also had a good run in Division 2. Did you cross paths with him during the season?

Yeah, I think this season we played the first game away where he was playing Sussex. But he wasn't playing that game. He arrived late, I think. But I did catch up with him for some time and just spoke about... just generally. He had good things to say and also I think last year during the Ranji Trophy as well, I kept on asking him about how it was and stuff like that. So, he said, just go out there and play your game and just keep on running.

You're set to reunite with KL Rahul at Delhi Capitals for the upcoming IPL season. How do you feel about linking up again, and what are your thoughts on the team?

Really glad and looking forward to linking up with KL Rahul. Just to play again alongside him would be amazing because he's done so really well in the last few years. He's been a consistent performer. And we share a good bond from childhood days, we've grown up together, we've played cricket practically almost together from the start. So, that will be a different kind of feeling again. Regarding the team, I think we've picked a really strong side and squad. And again, everyone's goal is to win the IPL. So, I'm hoping that we at Delhi Capitals can go and get that maiden title this year.

After such a dominant domestic season, how are you approaching the IPL? What kind of expectations and goals have you set for yourself?

Quite honestly, I haven't set any goals. I just want to continue to play the way that I'm playing. And keep the same approach and be as confident as the team believes in what I'm doing and the way that I'm doing. And continue to do the same things again in the IPL, and not think of it any differently. So, quite relaxed about it and quite confident also that I can come up with good performances.

Can you talk about the people who have been key to your sustained success this season? What have the conversations been, and how have they helped you?

I think the key to success has been my family and close friends. My parents, my wife and kids, my close friends. There are a few people that have always been alongside me and have really been helping me and believe in myself. And they are the ones that have got me to this position. I'd like to talk about them and promise that they are really important for me doing this well this season. So, I'd like to just keep that group as small as I can and continue the way that I'm doing and not think of anything else.

And having said that, there have been a lot of people that have helped me in the last few years. Like me going to Just Cricket and batting there for hours with Vijay Madyalkar sir watching along. And then during the KPL (Maharaja Trophy T20) as well, when he was part of the Mysuru Warriors along with R.X. Murali sir. So, these two have been really integral in terms of giving me the confidence that I required in the last few years. Me going to Just Cricket and Mysuru Warriors where both of them are there. They have really helped me in my mental game and have made me believe in myself a lot more in the last few years.

You have been known as someone who speaks frankly and speaks his mind. Has there been any change in that regard?

Not really. I've been doing quite the same but probably as you grow older you know when to speak what and when not to. You kind of keep learning those things as you get older.

It's a quick turnaround from the end of the domestic season to the start of the IPL. While professional cricketers are accustomed to it, how challenging is it to recover and be at your peak again - both physically and mentally?

For me personally that's exactly why I keep training all year round. Telling myself that I need to be ready for whatever comes my way. Obviously you do feel tired physically and mentally from time to time, but I make sure that I tell myself that I get a few days break and then I need to get back to it. I've been someone who's always thought like that. If you think that way I think the tiredness lasts for a few days and if you give yourself a few days then you're again fresh in your mind and body as well. So keeping the training going and taking those breaks whenever required has been something that has worked for me and I'm continuing to do that.

What are your goals, for the immediate future and a few years down the line?

Short term goal is to win the IPL for Delhi Capitals, and long term would be to play for India again. So it's quite simple I would say. Nothing else really.

Is the England Test series on your mind?

Basically, I have the IPL coming up. There's no plans in my head. I've had a good season and I intend to keep continuing the way I've been doing. So keep performing and the only thing in my head is to score in whichever game or wherever I play.