Introduction
Karun Nair is one of those Indian cricketers who will always be remembered for a historic feat — scoring a triple century in Test cricket. Born in Rajasthan and raised in Bangalore, Nair rose through the domestic circuit, made his mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and went on to script history in international cricket.Karun Nair IPL Career
While his international appearances have been limited, his contributions to domestic cricket and the IPL continue to make him a well-recognized figure. In this article, we will cover Karun Nair’s age, biography, IPL career, international records, and complete cricket journey in detail.
Karun Nair Age & Personal Details
- Full Name: Karun Kaladharan Nair
- Date of Birth: 6 December 1991
- Age (as of 2025): 33 years
- Birthplace: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Role: Middle-order Batsman
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (approx.)
Karun Nair belongs to a Malayali family that later settled in Bangalore. From a young age, his talent with the bat was visible in local tournaments. His ability to handle both pace and spin with confidence helped him break into age-group cricket before moving up to the domestic circuit.
Karun Nair Cricket Career (Domestic & International)
Domestic Career
Karun first gained recognition in the Ranji Trophy, where he consistently scored big runs for Karnataka. His back-to-back centuries in knockout matches during the 2013–14 season helped Karnataka lift the trophy, and soon after, his name was on the selectors’ radar.
He continued to dominate domestic cricket, averaging over 45 in first-class matches, with multiple double centuries and big innings to his name.
International Career
Nair made his ODI debut for India in 2016 against Zimbabwe, but his biggest achievement came in Test cricket.
- Test Debut: 2016 vs England
- Career Highlight: Scored an unbeaten 303 vs England in Chennai*, becoming only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Tests.
- He remains the fastest Indian to a triple century, achieving it in just 381 balls.
Unfortunately, despite this monumental knock, opportunities dried up. He played 6 Tests and 2 ODIs for India, scoring 374 Test runs at an average of 62.33.
His career is often discussed as one of missed chances, but his triple century keeps him etched in Indian cricket history.
Karun Nair IPL Career Overview
The Indian Premier League gave Karun Nair a bigger platform to showcase his talent.
- IPL Debut: 2013, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
- Major Teams: Rajasthan Royals (RR), Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Notable IPL Highlights
- 2014 with Rajasthan Royals: Breakout season with consistent knocks at the top order.
- 2017 with Delhi Daredevils: Took over captaincy as a stand-in, scoring quick runs and showing leadership qualities.
- Highest IPL Score: 83* (vs Sunrisers Hyderabad).
- Overall IPL Stats (till 2025): Over 1,500 runs across seasons, with a strike rate around 130.
Karun’s versatility made him valuable — he could open the innings or steady the middle order. Though he hasn’t been a permanent fixture in recent IPL squads, his performances still reflect his ability to handle pressure situations
Karun Nair Records & Achievements
Karun Nair has several records and milestones that stand out:
- Second Indian to score a triple century in Tests (after Virender Sehwag).
- Fastest Indian to reach 300 runs (381 balls).
- Highest Test Score: 303* vs England (2016).
- Scored three consecutive centuries in Ranji Trophy 2013–14 knockout matches.
- Key contributor in Karnataka’s multiple Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup wins.
These achievements showcase his ability to rise on big occasions, whether in domestic finals or high-profile international matches.
Karun Nair Playing Style & Strengths
Nair is known for his calm temperament at the crease. He is primarily a middle-order batsman, but has the flexibility to open in shorter formats.
- Strengths:
- Strong against spin bowling.
- Excellent in rotating strike and building innings.
- Ability to accelerate when required in T20s.
His compact technique and patience in Test cricket earned him praise, while his quick scoring ability made him a valuable IPL asset.
FAQs about Karun Nair
1. What is Karun Nair’s age in 2025?
Karun Nair is 33 years old, born on 6 December 1991.
2. What is Karun Nair’s highest score in Test cricket?
His highest score is 303 vs England* in Chennai (2016).
3. Which IPL teams has Karun Nair played for?
Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals), Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings), Kolkata Knight Riders, and RCB.
4. What is Karun Nair famous for?
He is famous for being only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket.
5. How many IPL runs has Karun Nair scored?
He has scored over 1,500 IPL runs across multiple seasons with a career-best of 83*.
Conclusion
Karun Nair’s cricketing journey is a story of incredible highs and unfortunate missed opportunities. From dominating Ranji Trophy finals to scoring a record-breaking Test triple century, he has etched his name in cricket history. His IPL career has also given fans memorable moments, even if he hasn’t always been a regular starter.
At 33, Nair still has years of cricket left in him, and fans hope to see more of his talent on display in both domestic cricket and leagues like the IPL.
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