Karun Nair is an Indian cricketer known for his calm batting style and one big record — he is only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket. His journey is not just about one big score. It is about patience, family support, and never giving up, even when life seems unfair.
In 2025, Karun proved this again when he returned to the Indian Test team against England after years of hard work. This is the full story of Karun Nair’s life — from his childhood to his latest matches. Read it all in simple words that even kids can understand.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karun Kaladharan Nair |
| Nickname | Karun |
| Profession | Indian Cricketer |
| Date of Birth | 6 December 1991 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 33 Years |
| Birthplace | Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Hometown | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Current City | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (approx.) |
| Weight | Around 67 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Education | Frank Anthony Public School, Jain University |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Sanaya Tankariwala (Married in 2020) |
| Father’s Name | Kaladharan Nair (Engineer) |
| Mother’s Name | Prema Nair (Homemaker) |
| Siblings | Only Child |
| Domestic Team | Karnataka |
| IPL Teams | RCB, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, KXIP, LSG |
| International Debut | 2016 (Test) |
| Career Highlight | 303* vs England (2016 Chennai Test) |
| Latest Highlight | 2025 comeback vs England — scored 67 in Hyderabad Test |
| Favourite Food | Kerala dishes made by his mother |
| Hobbies | Cooking, scuba diving, reading history books |
| Controversies | Limited chances after triple century, IPL rumors |
| Future Goal | Open academy for young cricketers in Bengaluru |
Early Life of Karun Nair
Karun Kaladharan Nair was born on 6 December 1991 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. His family is from Kerala but his dad’s job brought them to Rajasthan. Later, they moved to Bengaluru, Karnataka, where Karun grew up.
As a child, Karun was weak and had lung problems. His parents worried about his health but they encouraged him to be active. He first joined swimming classes but didn’t enjoy them. Then he found cricket — and he never looked back.
Karun’s dad, Kaladharan Nair, worked as an engineer. He enrolled Karun in a cricket academy. Little Karun loved batting for hours. His mother, Prema Nair, packed his kit and snacks every day. They wanted him to do well in studies too, so Karun learnt to balance both.
Education: Learning and Cricket Together
Karun went to Frank Anthony Public School in Bengaluru. He was polite, quiet, and never made trouble. His teachers liked him because he always finished his work on time. After school, he went to Jain University which is known for encouraging sports.
Karun would wake up early for practice, go to school, then practice again in the evening. He hardly had free time. He says his parents taught him discipline. They never forced him to score high marks but they told him to be honest and work hard.
Cricket Career: From Local Fields to International Stadiums
Karun’s real cricket journey began with Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy team. In the 2013–14 season, he scored three centuries in the knockout stage. Karnataka won the trophy after 15 years. Everyone saw his talent.
Soon, he was picked for the IPL. He has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, and even Lucknow Super Giants. In the IPL, he played many match-winning knocks.
But the biggest day came in December 2016. Karun made his Test debut for India against England. In his third match, he scored a massive 303 not out in Chennai. He became only the second Indian to hit a triple century in Test cricket. He was just 25 years old. People compared him with Virender Sehwag.
After that, Karun did not get many matches. Many fans felt sad because he deserved more chances. But Karun kept playing domestic cricket and worked silently.
Karun Nair’s 2025 England Test Comeback: Patience Pays Off
Karun’s story became more special in 2025. After years of waiting, he returned to India’s Test team for the England series in January 2025. He got this chance because of his great form in domestic cricket. He scored over 750 runs in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season with three centuries.
In the first Test match in Hyderabad, India was struggling. Karun came to bat and scored a patient 67 runs. He played classic shots, stayed calm, and showed the same old patience that made him famous in 2016.
His comeback inspired everyone. Fans and former players praised him for his never-give-up attitude. Karun said in an interview, “This comeback means a lot. I worked in silence and now I just want to enjoy my cricket.”
His 2025 return proved that hard work and patience always win in the end.
Karun Nair’s Height & Fitness
Karun Nair is not very tall but he is strong and fit. He is about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 67 kg. He does cardio, strength training, and yoga. He loves Kerala home food but avoids junk food during matches. He says, “A fit body helps my mind stay clear too.”
Karun Nair’s Age: How Old Is He Now?
Karun Nair was born on 6th December 1991. As of 2025, he is 33 years old. Even though he is in his 30s, he shows that age does not matter if you work hard and stay positive. He wants to play for India for many more years.
Karun Nair’s Girlfriend and Love Life
Karun is not single anymore. He married his long-time girlfriend Sanaya Tankariwala in 2020. Sanaya is not from the cricket world but she understands Karun’s busy life.
They dated for a long time and then had a private wedding during Covid-19. Their families and close friends joined the simple ceremony. Sanaya supports Karun in all his ups and downs. She cheers for him during matches and stands by him during tough times.
Karun often says Sanaya keeps him grounded and happy. They like to travel together and post lovely pictures on social media.
Karun Nair’s Family: His Strongest Team
Karun’s family is his biggest strength. His father, Kaladharan Nair, is an engineer and his mother, Prema Nair, is a homemaker. Karun is the only child, so he gets all their love and support.
His parents are deeply connected to Kerala traditions. They often visit temples and pray for his health and success. Karun says his mother’s healthy food and his father’s advice keep him strong.
His parents never let him feel disappointed even when he was dropped from the team. They told him, “Keep working hard, your time will come.” And his 2025 comeback proved they were right.
Controversies: The Ups and Downs
Karun has mostly stayed away from big controversies but his career had tough moments. After his triple century, he did not get many matches. Fans felt selectors were unfair to him. But Karun stayed calm and kept practicing.
In 2022, there were rumors during the IPL that he had issues with team management. Karun cleared the air by saying he respects everyone and just wants to play good cricket.
He faced social media trolling too when he failed in some matches. But Karun never fought with trolls. He stayed focused on improving. He says, “Criticism makes me better.”
Unknown Facts About Karun Nair
Karun is a trained swimmer because he had lung problems in childhood.
He loves cooking Kerala dishes when he is home.
He likes adventure sports like scuba diving.
He enjoys reading books about history.
He wants to open an academy for kids in Bengaluru.
He supports young cricketers by giving free tips.
These simple facts show he is grounded and loves simple things in life.
Lessons From Karun Nair’s Journey
Karun’s story is not just about cricket. It is about fighting quietly when no one notices. He shows that one big success does not mean your work is done. He teaches us that patience and family support are stronger than any problem.
His 2025 comeback tells every young player that no dream dies if you believe in yourself. Karun’s bond with his family and his love for his wife Sanaya shows that having good people by your side makes every battle easier.
