Expectations are going to be higher, but I am not worried: Karun Nair

Karun Nair became was just seen as the most suitable replacement for Ajinkya Rahane, the more established name in the Test team until he changed the perception by producing a batting spectacle against England at Chennai a few weeks ago. At the age of 25 years and 13 days, Nair with the help his amazing 305 run knock in the fifth and the final Test became the sixth youngest cricketer and the only Indian after Virender Sehwag to hit a triple century.

If that wasn’t enough, the Jodhpur-born Nair became only the third cricketer—after West Indies Garry Sobers (365 not out) and Australian Bob Simpson (311)—to convert his maiden Test hundred into a ‘triple century’.

In a recent interview to Qaiser Moham­mad Ali of Outlook India, the Karnataka star revealed his future plans, the feeling that filled his mind after reaching the landmark and the positive and negatives of his batting.

“Actually, there were no celebrations at all. My parents were in Chennai watching me score the triple century. So, I just had a quiet dinner at home. That’s it.”

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“When people say something like (joining the Indian 300 runs club) that you obviously feel proud. It’s a privilege to share that [achievement] with him.”

Such great knocks obviously raise the expectations the people have on the player. So, it is quite natural that Nair will now have to deal with the same pressure and produce similar sort of knocks to live up to hopes of the cricket fans.

“Expectations are going to be higher, but I don’t think I should worry about that. My goal is to go out and give my 100 per cent. Going forward, I am going to do the same things and the preparations are going to be the same.”

Triple hundred isn’t something that is new to him. The right-handed middle-order batsman grabbed the headlines during the 2014/15 season where he smashed a 300 against Tamil Nadu in the final to help Karnataka register an innings victory and retain the title.

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This feat also made him the only second player from Karnataka to score a triple century and the first batsman to score a triple century in a Ranji final since 1946–47. With 709 runs at an average of 47.26, he also finished as the third highest run-getter for Karnataka behind Robin Uthappa and KL Rahul.

“In that season I didn’t get many runs, even though I got the starts. Obviously, it was a final of the Ranji Trophy, so to go there and get the triple hundred was an amazing moment. Yes, you can say that it was a turning point in my career.”

Nair also explained the plans he has for the future. And, it turns out that it is very simple and straight forward.

“I would be doing the same thing that I have been doing; work hard and look after my fitness. I know it will come.”