Karun Nair

Karun Nair is one of the few Indian cricketers to score a triple century in Test cricket. Yet, despite this historic feat, Karun Nair’s international career has been full of ups and downs. If you’re searching for Karun Nair’s stats, career highlights, and latest news, this is the definitive tag page to follow.

Let’s explore Karun Nair’s rise, his iconic moment in Chennai, and where his cricketing journey stands today.

Quick Facts About Karun Nair

Attribute Details
Full Name Karun Kaladharan Nair
Date of Birth December 6, 1991
Birthplace Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Batting Style Right-handed
Bowling Style Right-arm off-break
Role Middle-order batter
Teams Played For India, Karnataka, RR, KXIP, DC, LSG

Early Life and Background

Karun Nair was born in Jodhpur but raised in Bangalore. Cricket came naturally to him, and he soon joined Karnataka’s cricket system. His consistency in age-group cricket led to a first-class debut for Karnataka in 2013, where he made an immediate impact.

In his debut Ranji Trophy season, Karun scored three consecutive centuries and helped Karnataka lift the title. This put him on the national radar quickly.

Domestic Career

Karun Nair has been a pillar of Karnataka’s batting lineup for years. He has been part of Ranji Trophy-winning campaigns and has also led the side on occasion.

Notably, his double century in the 2014–15 Ranji final showcased his ability to play long innings under pressure. Even when his international appearances reduced, Nair remained a key performer in the domestic circuit.

International Career

Karun Nair made his international debut for India in June 2016 during an ODI against Zimbabwe. Later that year, he debuted in Test cricket against England. Just two matches into his Test career, he scripted history.

Test Career

In December 2016, Karun Nair became only the second Indian batter after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Test cricket. His 303 against England* at Chennai remains a landmark moment.

However, despite this feat, Nair found it hard to retain his spot. Over the next few series, team combinations and form issues saw him dropped without a long run.

ODI Career

Karun played only a few ODIs in 2016. Although he showed promise, he couldn’t cement his place in the format due to stiff competition and limited chances.

Karun Nair’s International Stats

Format Matches Runs Average 100s 50s Highest Score
Test 6 374 62.33 1 0 303*
ODI 2 46 23.00 0 0 39

Stats accurate as of July 2025

Triple Century at Chennai: A Historic Knock

Karun Nair’s 303* came in just his third Test innings. Batting at No. 5, he paced his innings beautifully. He went from 100 to 200 in 121 balls and then raced from 200 to 300 in just 75 balls.

This was also:

  • The first Test triple century by a player from Karnataka
  • The fastest triple century by an Indian in terms of balls faced (381 balls)
  • The third-highest Test score by an Indian after Sehwag’s 319 and 309

Despite this incredible feat, Nair was dropped after just three more matches — a decision that sparked debate.

IPL Career

Karun Nair has been part of multiple IPL franchises, including:

  • Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Rajasthan Royals (RR)
  • Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals)
  • Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings)
  • Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

He had standout seasons, especially in 2017 and 2018, where he was given leadership responsibilities and batted in the top order.

IPL Career Summary

Season Team Matches Runs Average Strike Rate Best Score
2016 Delhi Daredevils 14 357 35.70 120.00 68*
2017 Delhi Daredevils 14 281 21.62 131.41 64
2018 KXIP 14 301 23.15 136.64 54
2022 LSG 3 9 3.00 100.00 7

Style of Play and Strengths

Karun Nair is known for:

  • Classical stroke play with solid technique
  • Ability to build long innings
  • Fluent off-side play and effective against spin
  • Calm temperament under pressure

He may not be a power hitter, but his timing and placement are world-class. His triple century remains one of the most elegant ever scored by an Indian.

Injuries and Setbacks

Karun Nair has had to battle injuries and inconsistent selection. After his triple century, he wasn’t given a long run in the team. Add to that a few poor IPL seasons, and his career trajectory took a hit.

Despite this, he never gave up. He kept scoring in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic formats. In recent years, he has also explored playing county cricket to further improve his game.

Recent Career Developments (2023–2025)

  • March 2025: Scored a double century in the Ranji Trophy semifinals for Karnataka
  • January 2025: Named captain of India A for the tour of Bangladesh
  • July 2024: Scored 96 for India A vs West Indies A
  • April 2023: Joined Northamptonshire for a County stint and scored 150* on debut

Despite being out of the Indian squad, Karun continues to push for a comeback.

Career Timeline

Year Milestone
2013 First-class debut for Karnataka
2014 Scored three back-to-back centuries in Ranji
2016 Test debut vs England
2016 Scored 303* in Chennai
2017 Last Test appearance for India
2022 Played for LSG in IPL
2023 County debut for Northamptonshire
2025 Captain of India A, double century in Ranji semi

What Went Wrong After the Triple Century?

Many fans and analysts have questioned why Karun Nair was dropped despite scoring a triple century. Some contributing factors include:

  • Limited batting spots in India’s middle order
  • Strong competition from players like Rahane, Pujara, and Hanuma Vihari
  • Lack of big scores in the next few matches
  • Team strategy changes and overseas conditions

Still, scoring 303* and then being dropped remains one of cricket’s most debated selection stories.

Personal Life and Traits

Karun is known for his calm demeanor. He is soft-spoken, grounded, and incredibly focused on his game. Off the field, he enjoys travel, reading, and spending time with family.

In 2020, he married his long-time partner Sanaya Tankariwala. The couple has been seen at cricket events, and Karun often shares glimpses of his life on social media.

Final Thoughts

Karun Nair’s story is both inspiring and bittersweet. Few players can boast of a Test triple century, but fewer have seen such a sudden halt in international appearances after achieving it.

Even today, Karun continues to grind it out in domestic cricket, hoping for that one more chance to wear the India cap. Whether he returns to the national side or not, his name will forever be etched in Indian cricket history.