Karun Nair etched his name into Indian cricket history when he scored an unbeaten 303 runs in 2016 against England in Chennai. This feat made him only the second Indian, after Virender Sehwag, to score a triple century in Test cricket. Yet, surprisingly, instead of propelling his career forward, this remarkable achievement marked the beginning of his decline in international cricket.
A Moment of Glory Under Virat Kohli’s Captaincy
In that 2016 Test series, Karun Nair’s innings was a masterclass of patience and skill. Facing 381 balls, Nair smashed 32 fours and 4 sixes. With such a performance, it seemed like Nair had secured a long-term spot in Team India’s middle order. However, the opposite happened. Despite his historic innings, Nair never managed to secure a permanent place in the Indian squad.
The Chennai Test should have been the foundation of a bright career, but Karun played his last Test in Mohali against England, with Virat Kohli leading the team. Since then, he has not been called back to the national side, leaving many to wonder: Did Nair’s triple century cost him his place in Team India?
The Roadblocks to a Comeback
Despite his remarkable talent, Nair struggled to regain his position in the national team. Even after scoring heavily in domestic cricket, the selectors consistently overlooked him. Karun, now 32, has accumulated an impressive 7348 runs in first-class cricket at an average of nearly 50. His domestic record includes 19 centuries and 34 half-centuries, further proving his credentials as a top-class player.
Nair also tried his hand in English county cricket, hoping to make a stronger case for his return to the Indian team, but to no avail. It appears that, despite his efforts, his triple century has not translated into more opportunities.
KL Rahul’s Contrasting Fortune
One of the most puzzling aspects of Karun Nair’s story is the contrast with fellow player KL Rahul. In the same match where Nair scored his triple century, Rahul scored 199 runs—a brilliant knock but not as historic. Yet, Rahul has gone on to play 52 Test matches, along with 77 ODIs and 72 T20Is for India. This raises a glaring question: Why did Nair, despite making history, fade away, while Rahul continues to enjoy a lengthy career?
Nair’s case is a clear example of how even outstanding individual performances don’t always guarantee long-term success in international cricket.
