When the name Karun Nair comes to mind, everything related to Indian cricket flashes in vibrant hues. Nair’s story is no less than a roller coaster ride. To begin with, he became the only player after Sachin Tendulkar to score a triple-century in Test matches. But in a few days he was also dropped from the Indian cricket team. With Nair’s story, it is all about moving on, being covertly determined, and most importantly, cherishing the sport unfalteringly.
Karun Nair: Cricketing Career and Family Background
Nair began playing cricket from an early age, having been born and raised in Bangalore. He made a name as Karnataka’s premier batsman before he was 20. Furthermore, Nair competed in and won many national-level competitions while still in school. However, life changed for him within a single day. One good knock in school’s selection would set you on a dream run. So, envisioning for himself everything was ‘perfect’ and went on to compete in ‘The Deodhar Trophy’ at a very young age. He started giving cricket a real go around age 14.
He began learning the game at the Koramangala Cricket Academy in Bangalore, where he was coached by Shivanand. Karun’s formative years were spent at Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Frank Anthony Public School, from where he later pursued a B.Com degree through Jain University, and during this period, with the encouragement of family, he managed to sustain a balance between academics and sports. His reputation within the contours of Karnataka’s domestic cricket was growing, and his progress through the cricketing ranks was steady.
The Accoladed Domestic Figure And Record Setting Triple Century
In the 2013-14 season, he made his first-class appearance for Karnataka and swiftly earned a place in the squad, helping win the Ranji Trophy that same year. With his already proven ability to perform and deliver under pressure, he helped the team clinch the title with three centuries in the knockout stage and a hallmark performance in the final.
During the subsequent season in 2014-15, Karun became the first batsman since 1946-47 to achieve a stunning 328 runs in the Ranji Trophy final, thus engraving his name in the book of records. His elegant stroke play, impressive cricketing intellect, and his unwavering composure emerged as defining traits of one of the most talked about rising stars in Indian domestic cricket.
In January 2025, Nair captured everyone’s attention with his exploits in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while playing for Vidarbha when he set a new record in the tournament. He aggregated 542 runs without losing his wicket in various matches which included three consecutive centuries. Such an achievement epitomized his quest for runs and proves that he had more in the tank.
The Triple Century That Shook the Cricketing World
Karun Nair made his Test debut for India in November 2016 against England. It took him just three matches to enter the history books. During the last Test of the series in Chennai, Nair played one of the unforgettable innings by Indian batters in history which was 303 not out. He is the second Indian to score a Test match triple century after Virender Sehwag and the fastest in history to turn a maiden Test century into a triple ton.
What was unexpected was soon after this innings, Nair faced the axe and door on national representation was shut for a long spell. This decision split the opinion within the cricketing community, with disputes revolving on the criteria for selection stating it was one of the weirdest blunders in Indian cricket.
Karun Nair: IPL Career and 2025 Resurgence
With Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL was to start neing played as his debut franchise in 2012. Over the years, he went on to play for Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), and Kolkatta Knight Riders. His utmost IPL season arrived in 2014, when he scored 330 runs with a striking strike rate of above 140.
During his reign on the IPL, Nair went silent for a couple of actively underperforming seasons until making a powerful comeback in IPL 2025 with the Delhi Capitals. He went striking against Bumrah himself in a match against Mumbai, scoring 89 runs within a time frame of 40 balls. That over London was handed to him as a title belt and crowned n not as a powerup.
Beyond the Boundary
Outside of public relation, Karun is respected for his soft spoken words Which calm and fierce at the same time, making him a concealed and ”maliciously” (No bad intention) humble person. In January 2020, he united in holy matrimony with media professional, Sanaya Tankariwala. In 2022 they welcomed their son, Kayaan. His turbulent yet eventful professionally major life times tells all of us how true depth of crediting all bare bones why his calipers have been family support.
The Path Forward
Karun Nair’s career is the timeless story of resilience. From being touted as Indian cricket’s next big thing to enduring long spells in the wilderness, his journey is anything but linear. Yet, every time he steps on the field, he brings along the hope of promise and perpetuity.
As fans and selectors look towards the future, one thing is certain: Nair’s narrative is still unfolding. Whether it’s in the IPL or domestic cricket, and perhaps even another stint in the blue blazer, his bat still has much to proclaim.
Read more about Karun Nair here.
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