WATCH: Karun Nair Smashes Century with a Six as Mysore Warriors Dominate Mangalore Dragons in Maharaja Trophy T20 Tournament

In the ongoing KSCA Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament, Mysore Warriors captain Karun Nair showcased his exceptional form by hitting a remarkable 43-ball century in Bengaluru on Monday night. Nair's explosive innings, which came after a solid half-century, proved crucial in setting up a convincing 27-run win against Mangalore Dragons in a rain-affected match, decided by the VJD method.

Nair hammered an unbeaten 124 off 48 balls with 9 sixes and 13 fours as the Warriors posted 226 for 4 after batting first. The Karnataka batter completed his century with a six off Dragons pacer Nischith Rao in the 19th over of their innings, which sailed over third man boundary off a thick outside edge.

Captain leading from the front!

Watch #KarunNair’s unbeaten knock of 124* from just 48 deliveries as they post an above par total against the Mangaluru Dragons!

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The Mangalore Dragons reply was interrupted by rain and they were set a revised target of 166 in 14 overs but fell well short, suffering their second loss of the campaign. In the first innings, the Mysore Warriors faced an early setback as Karthik CA (11) fell to Abhilash Shetty in the third over. Despite this, opener Karthik SU (23) and captain Karun Nair (124 n.o.) accumulated 46 runs during the powerplay.

Nair showcased blistering touch, as the duo forged a 47-run partnership, the second-largest stand of the innings. Karthik SU, who was dropped twice earlier, finally ran out of luck when MB Darshan dismissed him in the eighth over, leaving Mysore at 61/2.

The Warriors captain continued his crafty knock unfazed, sweeping and scooping his way to a rapid 27-ball half-century. At the other end, Samit Dravid (16) was scalped by Nischit Rao, just one ball after dispatching him for a maximum. Abhilash Shetty’s return to the attack saw Sumit Kumar (15) dismissed, bringing Manoj Bhandage (31 not out) to the crease. Bhandage remained unbeaten and played a brisk 14-ball cameo, complementing Nair’s relentless assault and constructing an 85-run partnership in 29 balls.

Nair launched two sixes and a four against Paras Gurbax Arya in the 15th over before taking down Nischith Rao with three massive sixes to reach a blistering century off just 40 balls in the penultimate over. His century saw 13 fours and nine sixes. Nair then finished the innings with authority hammering five consecutive boundaries (6, 6, 4, 4, 4) to power Mysore to an imposing 226/4 in their 20 overs.

The Mangaluru Dragons’ run chase faced early setbacks. Karthik CA struck first, removing Macneil Noronha, and J Suchith outfoxed Rohit K before the fifth over. However, Nikin Jose (32) and KV Siddharth (50) combined effectively, ensuring the chase remained within reach. KV Siddharth hit four boundaries of Vidyadhar Patil in the sixth over as the Mangaluru Dragons made it 61/2 by the end of the powerplay.