Full Name: Karun Kaladharan Nair
Nickname: Karun
Date of Birth: December 6, 1991
Age: 33 years (as of 2025)
Place of Birth: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Hinduism
Profession: Professional Cricketer
Batting Style: Right-handed
Bowling Style: Right-arm off break
Role in Team: Middle-order Batter
Net Worth: Estimated ₹20–25 crore INR (approx. $2.5–3 million USD)
Early Life and Background
Although Karun Nair’s roots are in Kerala, he was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. His mother, Prema Nair, was a schoolteacher, while his father, Kaladharan Nair, was an engineer. After the family relocated to Bangalore, Karnataka, Karun started playing cricket.
Karun advanced swiftly through age-group cricket after enrolling in the Karnataka State Cricket Association academy at an early age. One of the most promising young batters in the nation, he garnered headlines in domestic circuits and school-level events with his slick hitting and composed manner.
Domestic Career
After making his Karnataka First-Class debut in 2013, Karun Nair quickly rose to fame because to his steady Ranji Trophy performances. He scored a lot of goals in the knockout stages and was a key player in Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy victory in 2013–14.
Highlights:
- Scored three consecutive centuries in his debut Ranji season.
- Integral part of Karnataka’s domestic dominance between 2013–2016.
- Known for his temperament and technique against both pace and spin.
He continued to be one of the most reliable middle-order batsmen in the domestic structure while playing for the Rest of India, India A, and other zonal sides.
IPL Career
Karun Nair has played for a number of Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, including:
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals)
- Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings)
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
He has made significant runs in the middle order and is renowned for his cool finishing abilities and graceful stroke play. After making his first IPL fifty in 2014, he was named captain of the Delhi Daredevils in 2017 when regular captain Zaheer Khan was not available.
International Career
On November 26, 2016, Karun Nair played his first Test match for India at Mohali against England. He achieved a stunning 303 not out in Chennai in just his third Test match, turning into:
- Only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Tests.
- The first Indian to convert his maiden Test century into a triple ton.
Karun had a brief Test career despite the remarkable achievement, and when regulars returned and squad combinations changed, he was discarded in later series. He participated in a couple ODIs as well, but he was unable to establish himself.
His triple century is still regarded as one of the best debut performances in Indian cricket, and his Test record is still excellent.
Playing Style
Karun Nair is a right-handed hitter with good technique who does best in the middle order. His game is based on:
- Solid footwork
- Graceful stroke play
- Patience and ability to build long innings
He is renowned for his cautious fielding techniques and occasionally bowls off-spin, despite not being a regular bowler.
Especially in longer forms, his temperament and ability to remain calm under pressure are frequently cited as his greatest assets.
Personal Life
Media worker Sanaya Tankariwala is Karun Nair’s spouse. The pair dated for a number of years before getting married in January 2020. When they received a new born boy as their first child in 2022, Karun’s personal life entered a happy new phase.
Karun maintains his privacy and groundedness in spite of his notoriety. He is well-known for his kind demeanour, love of literature, and travel. He regularly engages in local cricket activities and charity endeavours in Karnataka off the pitch.
Additionally, Karun suffered a near-fatal boating accident in Kerala in 2016, which strengthened his spiritual and emotional fortitude and had a profound effect on him. He attributes his newfound outlook on life and cricket to that encounter.
Legacy and Impact
Despite having a short international career, Karun Nair’s triple century is still remembered as a significant achievement in Indian cricket. He
- Became a symbol of patience and perseverance.
- Inspired domestic players by showing that one performance can create history.
- Continues to mentor younger players in domestic cricket.
He is still competing in the IPL and domestic circuit, hoping to make a return to the Indian squad. Karun Nair’s name will live on in history for his historic innings, regardless of subsequent selections.
