Karun Kaladharan Nair was born on December 6, 1991, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to a Malayali family. His father worked in the Air Force, leading to several relocations during his childhood. Eventually, the family settled in Bengaluru, where Karun honed his cricketing skills.
From a young age, Nair was seen as a technically sound batsman. Trained in Karnataka’s domestic circuit, he rose through the ranks with sheer consistency and a calm temperament at the crease.
🏏 Domestic Career – Karnataka’s Silent Warrior
Karun began his first-class career with Karnataka in the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy, and he instantly made an impact.
🏆 Ranji Trophy Highlights:
Played a vital role in Karnataka’s back-to-back Ranji titles (2013–14, 2014–15)
Scored three consecutive centuries in debut Ranji season
Became known for gritty long-format batting and clean strokeplay
Karun’s solid domestic form made him a natural candidate for India A, and selectors began to notice his potential for the national team.
🇮🇳 International Debut and Career Milestone
Karun Nair made his Test debut for India in November 2016 against England, replacing KL Rahul in the playing XI.
But it was the fifth Test in Chennai that changed his life forever.
💯 The Historic Triple Century – 303 Not Out
On December 19, 2016, Karun Nair etched his name in Indian cricket history by scoring an unbeaten 303 against England*.
🏏 Why It Was Special:
Only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Tests
Achieved the feat in just his third Test innings
India posted a mammoth 759/7 declared
India won the Test and the series 4-0
This knock made him a national sensation overnight. He was expected to become India’s long-term middle-order batter.
📉 The Sudden Decline
Despite the triple century, Karun Nair played only 3 more Test matches after that. He struggled in the limited opportunities that followed:
Reasons for Drop in Form:
Inconsistent batting in next few Tests
Strong competition from players like Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill
Indian team’s rigid structure and preference for experience
Lack of opportunities in ODI and T20I formats
Many cricket fans and experts were left puzzled — how could a triple centurion be dropped without a long run?
💬 Expert Opinions
🗣️ Sunil Gavaskar: “He should’ve been given more chances. You don’t drop a player after a 300.”
🗣️ Rahul Dravid: “Karun has the temperament and technique for Test cricket. He just needs backing.”
🗣️ Fans on Social Media: “Justice for Karun Nair” started trending on Twitter in 2019 and 2021.
📊 Karun Nair International Stats (as of 2025)
Format
Matches
Runs
Avg
Best
100s
Test
6
374
62.3
303*
1
ODI
2
46
23.0
39
0
His Test average remains high mainly due to the triple ton, yet his career didn’t take off as expected.
🏏 IPL Journey – Mixed Success
Karun Nair’s IPL career has been inconsistent, yet he showed flashes of brilliance:
IPL Teams:
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Rajasthan Royals
Delhi Daredevils
Kings XI Punjab
Lucknow Super Giants
Notable Achievements:
Captain of Delhi Daredevils (2017) in absence of Zaheer Khan
Scored a quick century (106) for Delhi Daredevils in 2017*
Known for stylish strokeplay and clean finishing abilities
🔄 Comebacks and Struggles
Karun kept performing in domestic cricket, scoring consistently for Karnataka and India A. Yet, a national comeback remained elusive.
Notable Performances:
Double centuries in Ranji Trophy (2019, 2022)
Crucial innings in Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup
Fitness and form remained top-notch
Despite this, selection remained rare, partly due to India’s strong batting bench and limited Test opportunities.
💔 Missed Opportunities
World Test Championship (2021 & 2023): Not considered
England tour (2021): Ignored despite form
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Not picked
Even in India A tours, he was often included but not given enough game time.
💡 What Makes Karun Nair Special?
Technically solid
Patient long-format batter
Ability to anchor innings under pressure
Calm leadership skills (seen in domestic captaincy)
Triple-century proves mental strength and endurance
🧘 Off the Field – Calm and Composed
Karun Nair is known for his humble and soft-spoken personality. He doesn’t make headlines for controversies, and prefers to let his bat do the talking.
In 2020, he married Sanaya Tankariwala, and the couple often shares peaceful moments on Instagram.
His fans still cheer him on with hashtags like #BringBackKarun and #JusticeForKarun.
🏏 Comeback Hopes – 2025 and Beyond
As of 2025, Karun Nair is:
Still playing for Karnataka
Fit and hungry for one more national opportunity
Active in domestic cricket and the IPL
Mentoring youngsters in the Karnataka setup
Experts believe with one good IPL season or Ranji run, he might get a final call-up to India’s Test team.
❓FAQs About Karun Nair
Q. What is Karun Nair’s highest score in Tests? ➡️ 303* against England in Chennai (2016)
Q. Why was Karun Nair dropped from the Indian team? ➡️ Inconsistent performance post-triple century, team balance, and tough competition
Q. Is Karun Nair still playing cricket? ➡️ Yes, active in domestic cricket and IPL as of 2025
Q. Has any other Indian scored a triple century in Tests? ➡️ Only Virender Sehwag and Karun Nair
🏁 Conclusion
Karun Nair’s story is one of brilliance, heartbreak, and resilience. Scoring a triple century in Test cricket is a dream very few achieve — yet Karun did it in just his third match. Unfortunately, his journey was cut short not by failure, but by lack of opportunity.
In the hearts of cricket fans, Karun remains a symbol of what could have been — and perhaps, what can still be.
With talent, patience, and hunger still intact, Karun Nair’s comeback might just be the redemption arc Indian cricket never expected but truly needs.
