My mom would have made me a software engineer if not a cricketer: Karun Nair [Interview]

Nair made a thunderous entry into Test cricket only to lose his spot in the team after a couple of months.

Published - 26 Jun 2021, 12:13 IST | Updated - 26 Jun 2021, 12:13 IST

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Karun Nair interview

Karun Nair’s entry into international cricket was like a fairy-tale. Though he got a couple of low scores in his first two Tests for Team India, in the third, he gave a glimpse of his capabilities. He became the second Indian batter after Virender Sehwag to notch a triple century in the purest format.

His unbeaten 303 helped his team to an innings victory over England at the Chepauk. He also became the third cricketer to convert his maiden ton into the triple ton at the highest level. However, when he was perceived to have cemented his place in the side, his fortunes took a dreadful turn.

Back in March 2017, only three Tests later, he lost his place in the national team. With a Test average of 62.33, it remains a mystery as to why he hasn’t played a Test in the last four years. He made a comeback in the squad for a couple of series in 2018 only to be left out yet again without being given a single chance.

Nevertheless, he’s kept performing for Karnataka on the domestic circuit. Nair is currently a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. In the auction for the 2021 edition that took place in February, Eoin Morgan’s KKR roped him in.

To his sheer dismay, he hasn’t got a chance to feature in the playing eleven. In the meantime, the 29-year-old from Jodhpur took some time out and featured in CricTracker’s Question and Answer session ‘Free Hit’.

During the interaction, the right-handed batter talked about various cricketing topics, his interests, and recalled his match-winning triple century in Chennai as well.

Here are the excerpts from Karun Nair’s interview:

Mohanlal or Mammootty, whose movies do you like more?

Mohanlal

Three words to describe the triple century against England

Unreal, achievement and proud

A weird habit in the Karnataka dressing room

The habit of winning trophies

An app you use most on your phone

If not a cricketer, what would you have been?

My mom would have made me a software engineer

The laziest person in the KKR dressing room is?

The least controversial answer would be Prasidh Krishna. During the IPL, he never woke up for breakfast. I used to call him, but he never used to wake up.