Karun Nair's father says cricket was in his blood from the age of 10

Playing in only his 3rd Test, Karnataka batsman Karun Nair went on to become the 2nd Indian after Virender Sehwag to hit a triple century in Tests. He also became the 1st Indian and 3rd overall to convert his maiden Test century into a triple ton. Following his herculean effort, Karun’s parents expressed their delight and said they were very proud of his son’s achievement.

“Cricket was in his blood from age 10,” said the excited father as records kept tumbling for his 25-year-old son at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. “We, my wife also, are in the stadium watching our son play this innings. Right from age 10, cricket was in his blood and he has come up the hard way by playing,” said Kaladharan Nair.

“He played five years of First Class cricket and then two years in the Ranji circuit before reaching here,” said the senior Nair to the media after his son’s monumental effort. On being asked what he will say to his son once he meets him, the proud father said, “Even though I am in the stadium, I will meet him only in the evening at the hotel. At the moment, I will reserve what I say to him in the evening.”

Nair who made his debut in the Mohali Test scored 4 in the only innings he played in that match. He followed it up with a 13 in Mumbai but made full use of his opportunity in this Test and repaid the faith shown in him by the selectors. Karun Nair also became the first Kerala born cricketer to score a Test century. Leading Kerala Ranji cricketer Sachin Baby told the media that he was very excited to hear the news that Karun became the first Malayalee to score a century. “I spoke to him last night and he appeared confident of what he did during the day and said he is confident of reaching the century. I feel so happy for him,” said Baby.

Before Karun Nair, only two other cricketers have represented India from the state of Kerala. One was pacer Tinu Youhanan and the other one was Sreesanth who is currently serving a ban from international cricket for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing during an IPL match.