Batsman Karun Nair will replace the injured Prithvi Shaw in Northamptonshire for the remainder of the County Championship season. Shaw was having a stellar season but had a knee injury that was worse than expected. Shaw had a significant impact during his brief time with the team. In his four innings, he scored two hundreds, including a 244 off 153 balls against Somerset, which is currently the second-highest List A score in England.
In his remaining three innings, he scored 125*, 26 and 34, moving him into first place (429 runs) after four games. The opener has already resigned to Northamptonshire for next season but has travelled back to India and will miss the remainder of this season. Karun will leave for the UK tomorrow. The Northants will make a formal announcement in this regard on Friday," a reliable source told TOI on Thursday.
Now Nair will replace the opener in England, and for a player who scored a triple hundred, he has been miles away from the Indian team since then and now will hope to mark a return.“It feels great to know that my recent performances are being recognized. I have always believed I have the capability of performing at the highest level, so I hope my performances will eventually push for a place in the Indian team. I hope I can score runs and get three wins for the county. Anything that's not in my control. I am looking forward to the opportunity,” Nair told TOI.
Nair obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to play for Vidarbha in the upcoming domestic season. Regarding the move, Nair said, “Moving my state team allows me to have a fresh new environment. I just feel good about myself and Vidarbha. I hope I can contribute toward the winning side.”
Karun has so far featured in 85 domestic matches, scoring 5922 runs at an average of 48.94, with 15 hundreds and 27 fifties. The 31-year-old is only the second Indian to score a triple hundred in Test cricket after Virender Sehwag. However, he has only represented the nation in six Tests and two ODIs, and last played for India in 2017.
