A double century by Karun Kaladharan Nair, who hammered a marathon and remarkable 256 facing 344 deliveries, laced with a whopping 20 boundaries and seven maximums, for KSCA Secretary’s XI in the Safi Darashah Trophy cricket proved his credentials in no uncertain terms.
The 21-year-old Jodhpur-born batting all rounder, who can also produce some useful right arm off break stuff, had played a big role in Mangalore United’s victory in the KPL Twenty20 tournament a couple of seasons ago. Karun, as he is known, bagged four wickets and had made a useful 21 too to be named as the Man of the Match in the 2010-11 final.
As such, Nair has been making noticeable contributions to his team's cause. Not surprisingly, he was named the captain of the Karnataka under-15 team to take part in the C K Nayadu all-India cricket tournament for that age group only recently.
Nair has already represented the India Under-19 team, has played for the state under-15, under-19 and under-22 teams as well. Part of the Royal Challengers' brigade, Nair is surely on the verge of breaking into the big league.
A product of the Vultures Cricket Club, Karun has been amassing runs by the 'tons' in more ways than one at the junior levels. Be it the Buchi Babu Trophy, Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup, Col CK Nayudu U-25 Trophy or the local league, Karun has been on the rampage with his patience and stroke-making.
Endowed with steely determination, Karun has faced both pace and spin with equal felicity. Strong on both sides of the wicket, Karun has the ability to read the bowlers' mind and prepare for his strokes with tremendous anticipation. That has given him a good edge when taking on quality or even hostile attacks at his levels.
In the South Zone inter-state under-22 cricket tournament, Karun made 371 runs in five games with two tons and two half tons at an impressive average of 92.75. He also bagged six wickets at 20.33. His showing enabled Karnataka to win the tournament with an undefeated record.
All these performances have caught the eye of the selectors and it is only be a matter of time before Karun is propelled onto bigger stages to perform. He has the ability to prove his credentials there too.