Karun Nair became the second Indian cricketer after Virender Sehwag to score 300 runs. Nair, who is playing his third Test match in international career, went on to convert his maiden fifty to a century to a double century to an unbeaten triple ton. In the process, he became the third Indian cricketer to convert their maiden century to a double ton. Dilip Sardesai (200* against New Zealand in 1965) and Vinod Kambli (224 against England in 1993) are the other two Indians to achieve the feat. The 25-year-old also became the youngest Indian to do so.
Before this knock of his, Nair had played 2 innings and scored 17 runs at an average of 8.50. After his batting display in the fifth Test against England at Chennai, Nair averages 160 in 3 matches. He scored his first ton in 185 balls and followed it up with the next hundred in 121 balls. He scored the last hundred in just 75 balls and completed the milestone in 381 balls. Virender Sehwag who was the only Indian cricketer to have scored 300, welcomed the youngster to the group with open arms. Sehwag has scored 300 on two occasions – 319 against South Africa at Chennai (2007-08) and 309 against Pakistan at Multan (2003-04).
Yay ! Welcome to the 300 club @karun126 .
It was very lonely here for the last 12 years 8 months.
Wish you the very best Karun.Maza aa gaya!— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 19, 2016
Twitter was abuzz with congratulatory messages for Nair on his exceptional performance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BCCI president Anurag Thakur and the cricket fraternity pitched in with their special tweets.
Congratulations on the historic triple century @karun126! We all are delighted & proud of your remarkable feat.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 19, 2016
What a day 4 India at Chepauk. @karun126 heartiest congratulations on this marvelous 300. 2nd Indian to achieve after @virendersehwag @BCCI
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) December 19, 2016
A brilliantly paced knock by a really talented young batsman! Congratulations @karun126 on a truly splendid knock! #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/qm2nXbv9yd
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 19, 2016
Well done karun @karun126 very well deserved. Keep it going
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) December 19, 2016
Now that’s what we call amaze balls!! well done kulla @karun126 !! Amazing stuff pal!! Super proud of you!!
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) December 19, 2016
@karun126 WOW!!! 303 not out. So proud of my old @rajasthanroyals mate. And my @RCBTweets teammate @klrahul11 199 #INDvENG
— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) December 19, 2016
Take a bow @karun126 quality triple, India never short of batting talent, another emerges! #INDvENG
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 19, 2016
Welcome to the 300 club youngster @karun126 #Super
— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) December 19, 2016
Not a bad way to announce yourself into international cricket .#KarunNair Wish you many more runs
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 19, 2016
What an effort 300@karun126 keep rocking..His first test hundred and that’s 300 not out.God bless @BCCI #INDvENG looks like 4-0
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 19, 2016
Karun Nair reaches 250, a landmark only 3 other Indians @virendersehwag (4times), Dravid and @VVSLaxman281 (1each) have reached.#INDvENG
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 19, 2016
Before Nair, KL Rahul was unfortunate to miss out on a double century. Rahul was dismissed on 199 and when Nair reached the milestone, former India cricketer VVS Laxman was one of the first to congratulate the Karnataka cricketer.
Awesome achievement @karun126Congratulations on ur maiden 200Proud of u young man#INDvENG @BCCI
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 19, 2016
200! @karun126 brings up his maiden double hundred in Test cricket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/MDmFdIlmh2
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 19, 2016
