Key Takeaways
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Only the second Indian batter after Virender Sehwag to score a Test triple century
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2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy hero: World record 542 undismissed List A runs
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Remarkable comeback: India A double-century forces national recall after 8-year hiatus
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Multilingual talent fluent in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil
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Premature birth survivor whose cricket journey began as medical therapy
I. The Record-Shattering Prodigy: Anatomy of a Triple Century
When Karun Kaladharan Nair strode onto Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on December 19, 2016, few anticipated history. Yet over 565 minutes, the right-handed top-order batter crafted 303* against England – becoming:
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The third player globally to convert a maiden Test century into a triple
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India’s second triple-centurion after Virender Sehwag
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Holder of the highest individual score by an Indian Test debutant
His 32-boundary masterclass wasn’t mere aggression; it was geometric precision. As Wisden noted: *”Nair dissected gaps like a surgeon – 78% of his runs came between point and mid-wicket.”* The Player of the Match award cemented his arrival, yet his Test journey would soon face cruel interruption.
II. The Roots: From Jodhpur’s Hospitals to Chinnaswamy’s Sprinklers
Born December 6, 1991 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Nair’s origin story defies convention:
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Premature birth: Doctors prescribed cricket to strengthen underdeveloped lungs
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Kerala heritage: Parents Kaladharan (mechanical engineer) and Prema (teacher) from Chengannur, Alappuzha
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Bengaluru crucible: Family moved to Koramangala where Kaladharan designed the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium sprinkler system
His cricketing education began at Koramangala Cricket Academy (March 28, 2001) under coach Shivanand. Academic shifts from Chinmaya Vidyalaya (where his mother taught) to Frank Anthony Public School prioritized sporting development – foreshadowing his Jain University BCom(Hons) balancing act.
III. Domestic Dominance: Karnataka’s Ranji Colossus
Nair’s first-class debut (2013-14) ignited Karnataka’s golden era:
Career-Defining Milestones
| Season | Achievement | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | Consecutive centuries in knockouts | Key to Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy victory |
| 2014-15 | 328 in final vs Tamil Nadu | First Ranji triple-century in final since 1946-47 |
| 2015-16 | 500+ runs with 2 centuries | Cemented white-ball credentials |
| Jan 2025 | 542 undismissed Vijay Hazare runs | World record List A streak (3 consecutive centuries) |
His 2014-15 final masterpiece remains legendary: facing 560 balls across 13 hours, he surpassed Vijay Hazare’s 1946-47 record for highest final score – a feat that earned him India A call-ups for Deodhar Trophy 2018 and Duleep Trophy 2019.
IV. The International Odyssey: Triumph & Tribulation
The Meteoric Rise
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June 11, 2016: ODI debut vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club
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November 26, 2016: Test debut vs England at Mohali
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December 16-20, 2016: The immortal *303* at Chennai*
The Wilderness Years
Despite his historic triple century, Nair played just three more Tests before being dropped for Ajinkya Rahane. His 2016 boat accident in Kerala’s Pampa River – occurring days after his ODI debut – foreshadowed career turbulence.
The 2025 Resurrection
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India A vs England Lions: Career-reviving 204 in May 2025
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National recall after 8-year gap
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IPL 2025 comeback with Delhi Capitals: Scintillating 89 off 40 balls vs Mumbai Indians
V. IPL Carousel: From Bangalore Royalty to Delhi’s Dynamo
Nair’s T20 journey mirrors modern cricket’s nomadic reality:
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2012-13: Royal Challengers Bangalore apprenticeship
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2014: Breakthrough at Rajasthan Royals (330 runs @142 SR)
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2016-17: Delhi Daredevils leader (captained 3 matches post-Zaheer Khan injury)
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2018: Kings XI Punjab stint
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2021: Kolkata Knight Riders chapter
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2022: Rajasthan Royals return
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2025: Delhi Capitals resurgence
His adaptability across franchises showcases a top-order batter with tactical versatility.
VI. The Personal Crucible: Where Faith Meets Fortitude
Beyond cricket, Nair’s life reveals profound resilience:
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July 2016: Survived near-fatal boat accident during Kerala temple visit
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January 19, 2020: Married media professional Sanaya Tankariwala in Udaipur
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January 2022: Welcomed son Kayaan Nair
These experiences forged his philosophy: “Cricket tests skill; life tests character. Both demand respect.”
VII. The 2025 Renaissance: Rewriting Destiny
Nair’s current resurgence epitomizes athletic redemption:
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Vijay Hazare 2025: World-record undismissed streak (542 runs)
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India A vs England Lions: Commanding double-century (204)
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IPL 2025: Match-winning Delhi Capitals cameos
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National recall: Testament to unwavering perseverance
As former batting coach Sanjay Bangar observed: “Greatness isn’t defined by how high you fly, but how deeply you root yourself during droughts.”
Conclusion: The Unfinished Symphony
Karun Nair’s journey – from Jodhpur’s neonatal wards to Chennai’s cricketing pantheon – transcends statistics. It’s a testament to human resilience: a premature baby whose weak lungs found strength through willow; a triple-centurion exiled during his prime; a family man balancing fatherhood with sporting rebirth.
As he dons India’s colors again in 2025, his story resonates beyond boundaries. For in Nair’s second act, we witness sport’s truest victory: not merely conquering opponents, but overcoming one’s own history.
“Records gather dust; legacies gather light. I play for the boy who breathed cricket when he could barely breathe at all.”
– Karun Nair, 2025
My name is Raushan Kumar Jha i am a professional blogger, content strategist, and SEO expert. I write about famous personalities, health, fitness, and finance on WorldsLegends.com. With six years of experience and a commerce background, crafts engaging, well-researched content that ranks higher and captivates audiences.
