Chennai: Karun Nair (303 n o, 381b, 32×4, 4×6), playing in only the third Test of his career etched his name into the history books of Indian cricket by becoming the second player from the country to score a triple ton, here Monday. Nair’s triple hundred and his 181-run partnership with Ravi Ashwin (67, 149b, 6×4, 1×6) for the sixth wicket followed up by a stand of 138 runs for the seventh wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (51, 55b, 1×4, 2×6) put India in a position from which they cannot lose against England in the fifth and final Test of the series.
For the records, India declared their first innings at 759 for seven, their highest total against England in Tests and with it achieving a lead of 282 runs. In reply, England were 12 without loss in their second essay, both openers Alastair Cook (three batting) and Keaton Jennings (nine batting) surviving a couple of close calls. England now can only think of survival on a pitch where a couple of balls turned and bounced sharply on the fourth day.
But then the story on the day was not about India, but about Nair. Touted as one of India’s best prospects in the years to come, Nair lived up to his reputation. He scored 232 runs in a single day and enthralled a select Chepauk crowd with shots all around the ground. The best part was his ability to use the entire 360 degree of the ground while hitting his shots.
Equally adept at front and back-foot play, he was quick to use his feet against England spinners, hitting them to all parts of the ground. After reaching his 150, he used the sweep – both the normal and the reverse to deadly effect to completely unsettle the likes of Moeen Ali and company. The England spinners — Moeen (1/190), Liam Dawson (2/129) and Adil Rashid (1/153) – had figures that they would remember in their worst nightmares.
It is an irony that the chance Nair got was a lucky one considering he was not in line for a Test debut during the series. He was picked for the series after Rohit Sharma suffered a hamstring injury. And doubts were raised after his failures at Mohali and Mumbai, but Monday, Nair proved that he is here to stay for good.
All his four sixes were a treat to watch. Against left-arm spinner Dawson, he stepped out to loft straight. A rising delivery from Stuart Broad (2/80) was given the ramp shot treatment. Offie Moeen was hit over long-on while a Rashid half-tracker was deposited into the stands.
A day to rejoice as a new star is born.
Welcome to the 300 Club
From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the legendary Kapil Dev and Virender Sehwag, the country lavished Monday praise on youngster Karun Nair, who became only the second Indian to notch up a triple century in Test cricket. Everybody took to the social media to congratulate the youngster.
Narendra Modi: Congratulations on the historic triple century @karun126! We all are delighted & proud of your remarkable feat.
Virender Sehwag: Congratulation Karun for this amazing feat. Your batting was like poetry. I hope you get another one very soon. Yay! Welcome to the 300 club @karun126 . It was very lonely here for the last 12 years 8 months. Wish you the very best Karun. Maza aa gaya!
Rajyavardhan Rathore (Olympian silver medallist): What a player! What a knock! Take a bow, @karun126 for being 3rd cricketer & 1st Indian to convert maiden century into a triple hundred!.
Kapil Dev: I am at a loss of words to comment on what he did. He seems such a level-headed youngster. His style of batting is very impressive. Very few batsmen can do what he has done.
VVS Laxman: Rahul Dravid would be proud of him (Nair). He has taught players to work hard and stay committed to their game. Karun spent two months with Dravid during the India A tour of Australia. He probably went through mental conditioning during that period and it showed today.
Anurag Thakur (BCCI president): What a day 4 India at Chepauk. @karun126 heartiest congratulations on this marvelous 300. 2nd Indian to achieve after @virendersehwag @BCCI.
Ajinkya Rahane: Well done karun @karun126 very well deserved. Keep it going.
Chris Gayle: Welcome to the 300 club youngster @karun126 ?????????? #Super. What a feat??
