Chennai: Indian cricket found a new hero on Monday when Karun Nair became only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple hundred in Tests. Sehwag did it twice, in 2004 against Pakistan at Multan and in 2008 against South Africa in Chennai.
The 25-year-old’s unbeaten 303 in only his third Test appearance also propelled India to their best ever total of 759/7 declared, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Karun’s marathon innings has more significance as he also joined West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers and former Australia captain Bob Simpson in turning his maiden century into a triple hundred.
First thing that came to Karun’s mind after celebrating his monumental achievement was a boat accident that he miraculously survived in Kerala earlier this year. “I didn’t know how to swim. People there rescued me and I am lucky to live again,” said Karun who was born in Rajasthan and has roots in Kerala, but represents Karnataka in domestic circuit.
