Early Life and Background
Karun Nair was born on 6 December 1991 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. His parents, Kaladharan Nair and Prema Nair, hail from Chengannur in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. Despite his Rajasthani birth, Nair’s family moved to Bangalore when he was young, where he would eventually develop his cricketing skills that would take him to international stardom.
The right-handed batsman’s journey from a young cricket enthusiast in Bangalore to becoming one of only three Indians to score a Test triple century is nothing short of remarkable. His multicultural background – born in Rajasthan to Malayali parents and raised in Karnataka – reflects the diverse fabric of Indian cricket.
Domestic Cricket Career and Rise to Prominence
Karun Nair made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the 2013-14 season, immediately making an impact with his consistent run-scoring ability. His early domestic career was marked by exceptional performances that caught the attention of national selectors.
His selection for the Indian ODI team was a reward for his consistency in domestic cricket – he had averaged more than 50 in his first three seasons. This remarkable consistency in domestic cricket laid the foundation for his international career.
Recent Domestic Resurgence
Karun Nair had a stellar 2024/25 season, amassing 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at an average of 389.50, and 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy. His trailblazing campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy saw him score five centuries, backed up by four centuries in the Ranji Trophy, including one in the final.
This phenomenal domestic form represents one of the greatest individual seasons in recent Indian domestic cricket history, with Nair becoming the reigning Ranji champion with Vidarbha.
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International Cricket Career
ODI Debut and Early Success
Karun Nair made his India debut in the 2016 away ODI against Zimbabwe in July 2016. His ODI debut came as recognition of his outstanding domestic form and marked the beginning of his international journey.
Test Cricket and Historic Triple Century
Nair made his Test debut against England in 2016, but it was his third Test match that would etch his name in cricket history forever. He became the third player in international cricket to convert his maiden century into a triple century, by scoring an unbeaten 303 against England in his third Test.
This incredible achievement placed him alongside the legendary Garfield Sobers and Bob Simpson as the only players to achieve this rare feat in Test cricket. The knock came at a crucial time for India and showcased Nair’s mental fortitude and technical prowess.
Test Career Statistics
In his Test career to date, Karun Nair has played 9 matches for India. While his international career has been limited, his impact through that historic triple century remains significant in Indian cricket history.
IPL Career Journey
Early IPL Years
Karun Nair started his IPL journey with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2012. His IPL career has seen him represent multiple franchises, showcasing his adaptability across different team environments.
Recent IPL Return
In the IPL Auction 2025, the DC franchise acquired the services of Karun Nair for Rs 50.00 Lac. His recent resurgence saw him rejoin Delhi Capitals for INR 50 Lakh at the 2025 TATA IPL Auction.
His first game in IPL 2025 was against the Mumbai Indians, where he scored 89 runs off 40 balls. This explosive innings marked his return to the IPL after a gap and demonstrated that his recent domestic form was translating to the T20 format.
IPL Career Statistics
Karun Nair has played 83 IPL matches and scored 1650 runs with an average of 23.57 including 11 half-centuries. His IPL journey reflects his versatility as a batsman capable of adapting to the demands of T20 cricket.
Leadership and Captaincy
In October 2016, he was elevated to captain of his state side, Karnataka. This appointment demonstrated the trust placed in his leadership abilities and cricket acumen at a young age.
Personal Life and Challenges
Boat Accident Survival
In July 2016, Karun survived a boat accident in river Pampa in Kerala during a thanksgiving temple visit after making his ODI debut. This incident highlighted his resilience and the challenges faced beyond cricket.
Current Status and Future Prospects
2025 Season Performance
Nair’s return to prominence in 2024-25 has been nothing short of sensational. After a seven-year gap between IPL games, his comeback has been remarkable, showing that talent and perseverance can overcome extended periods away from the spotlight.
Playing Style and Strengths
Karun Nair is known for his technically sound batting approach, ability to construct long innings, and adaptability across formats. His triple century innings showcased his mental toughness and concentration, while his recent domestic performances highlight his evolved game understanding.
Career Highlights and Records
- Historic Triple Century: Unbeaten 303 vs England (2016)
- Third player globally to convert maiden Test century into triple century
- Outstanding 2024-25 domestic season: 779 runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy at average of 389.50
- Ranji Trophy Champion with Vidarbha (2024-25)
- Five centuries in single Vijay Hazare Trophy season
- IPL return after seven-year gap with explosive 89 off 40 balls
Statistical Summary
- Test Matches: 9 games
- Test Runs: 374 runs (including 303*)
- IPL Matches: 83 games
- IPL Runs: 1650 runs
- IPL Half-centuries: 11
- Current Age: 33 years (as of 2025)
Legacy and Impact
Karun Nair’s career represents the unpredictable nature of cricket careers. From scaling the heights of a Test triple century to experiencing lean patches, and then returning with a phenomenal domestic season, his journey embodies resilience and determination.
His recent performances have not only earned him an IPL contract but also put him back in contention for national selection. The 2024-25 domestic season has proven that class is permanent, and Nair’s hunger for runs remains as strong as ever.
Conclusion
One of only two Indians to have scored a Test triple-century, Karun Nair has been a dominant force in domestic cricket. His journey from a promising youngster to achieving historic feats, facing challenges, and now experiencing a remarkable resurgence makes him one of the most intriguing personalities in Indian cricket.
As he continues his journey with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 and maintains his exceptional domestic form, cricket fans worldwide will be watching to see if this talented batsman can add more chapters to his already remarkable story.
Official IPL stats → https://www.iplt20.com/teams/delhi-capitals/squad-details/276
5 Important MCQs on Karun Nair (Government Exam Pattern)
Q1. Karun Nair became the third player in international cricket history to convert his maiden Test century into a triple century. Against which team did he achieve this feat?
a) Australia
b) England
c) South Africa
d) West Indies
Answer: b) England Explanation: Karun Nair scored an unbeaten 303 against England in 2016, becoming only the third player globally to convert his maiden Test century into a triple century.
Q2. Which two legendary cricketers are the other players who achieved the rare feat of converting their maiden Test century into a triple century, alongside Karun Nair?
a) Don Bradman and Viv Richards
b) Garfield Sobers and Bob Simpson
c) Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag
d) Matthew Hayden and Chris Gayle
Answer: b) Garfield Sobers and Bob Simpson Explanation: Only three players in cricket history have converted their maiden Test century into a triple century – Garfield Sobers, Bob Simpson, and Karun Nair.
Q3. In which year did Karun Nair make his ODI debut for India? a) 2015 b) 2016 c) 2017 d) 2018
Answer: b) 2016 Explanation: Karun Nair made his India ODI debut against Zimbabwe in July 2016.
Q4. Karun Nair was born in which Indian state, though he represents Karnataka in domestic cricket?
a) Kerala
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Rajasthan
d) Karnataka
Answer: c) Rajasthan Explanation: Karun Nair was born on 6 December 1991 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, but later moved to Bangalore and represents Karnataka in domestic cricket.
Q5. In IPL 2025, which franchise acquired Karun Nair’s services?
a) Royal Challengers Bangalore
b) Mumbai Indians
c) Delhi Capitals
d) Chennai Super Kings
Answer: c) Delhi Capitals Explanation: Delhi Capitals acquired Karun Nair for Rs 50.00 Lakh in the 2025 IPL Auction after his remarkable domestic comeback.
