Karun Nair is one of the talented batters from the Karnataka circuit. Uncannily, the stylish batter will be remembered for getting dropped from the national side soon after scoring a triple-century in Tests. Over the years, Nair has been a prolific batter for his state side in the Ranji Trophy and domestic limited-overs formats, but has not found his luck in the international arena.

The Jodhpur-born made his domestic debut for Karnataka in the 2013-14 season, stockpiling thousands of runs in Karnataka’s success. Nair has a sound technique and temperament to succeed at the highest level, and the triple century against England is a testament to that, but he has not been able to unlock his full potential yet.

Karun Nair International Career

Karun Nair made his international debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe in June 2016, but could only field in his first (and only) ODI assignment. The Karnataka batter again got an opportunity to play for India, this time in the longest format against England at Mohali in November 2016.

Nair’s debut Test outing on November 26, 2016, against England, ended with an unfortunate run-out. However, Karun Nair scored a mind-boggling 303* off 381 balls in his very third Test. After becoming the second-only triple-centurion for India, Nair had to miss out on the playing XI to make a place for Ajinkya Rahane. He returned to the Test team but was dropped from the playing XI after a string of low scores against Australia in 2016, and has not been able to return since.

Karun Nair made a remarkable Test return for India in June 2025 against England at Headingley, ending an eight-year, 3,000-day hiatus. His comeback, at age 32, followed prolific domestic seasons with Vidarbha and strong county cricket performances. He was included in the squad after scoring a double-century for India A against England Lions. Nair was emotional and grateful for the "second chance" at representing India in whites.

Picked for the five-match Test tour under Shubman Gill’s captaincy in a period of transition in early June, Nair featured in four of the five Tests in the series India drew 2-2 with England. The 33-year-old, however, could not make a significant mark in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, aggregating 205 runs in eight innings with a solitary half-century.

Karun Nair IPL Career

Although Karun Nair came into the Indian Premier League in 2013 with Bangalore as a youngster, he stamped his class there. In 2014, Karun was picked by the Rajasthan Royals and scored 330 runs at a strike rate in excess of 140. He could not build on the gains made in the last season and had an average season in IPL 2015.

When the Rajasthan Royals were banned by the BCCI for IPL 2016 and 2017, Karun was picked by the Delhi team, where he bounced back and scored heavily in two consecutive seasons. He was also trusted to lead the side in the absence of Zaheer Khan during the season.

The KXIP finally picked him in the IPL 2018 season, and the Karnataka batter was with them for three editions. He has not had a very successful run with the Punjab team, playing only 4 games in his last 2 stints with the team.

In February 2021, the promising but out-of-form player was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 14th edition of the IPL in the second round of picks in the auctions. Karun Nair might not have the best of times in the altered 2020-21 domestic cycle for Karnataka, but he is too good a batter to make a season of his own.

Nair returned to Delhi Capitals for INR 50 Lakh at the 2025 IPL Auction, following a prolific domestic season in which he played a major role in helping Vidarbha win the Ranji Trophy title. He made an immediate and thunderous impact in the 2025 season, specifically in a high-stakes encounter against the Mumbai Indians. Recognising his invaluable experience and game-changing potential, the Delhi Capitals have retained Nair for the IPL 2026. 

(As of May 2026)