"My mom felt it was too dangerous to play on the road, so she enrolled me in a cricket academy" - Karun Nair interview

Karun Nair made his name in IPL with Rajasthan Royals, but what followed before, was a dream Ranji season on debut

Till 2013, he hadn't even made his debut in first-class cricket. An injury to Robin Uthappa led to his dream debut in the Ranji Trophy season 2013-14, where he hit three consecutive centuries, and Karnataka won the title after a long wait of 15 years, capping off a memorable season with wins in Irany Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

After his success in whites, Rajasthan Royals were the ones to spot the talent of 22-year-old Karun Nair, Karnataka’s blue-eyed boy. He scored only 8 on his debut with RR in IPL, followed by 1 run in the next match. However, on being persisted with, he showed his talent with an unbeaten 50-ball 73 against Delhi Daredevils in a chase. By the end of the season, he had contributed with 2 more fifties and other high scores of 44 and 48.

Sportskeeda caught up with the soft spoken lad, on his journey till now, and the way ahead.

How did cricket happen to you?

I used to watch a lot of cricket ever since I was 5-6 years old. Watching Sachin Tendulkar play made me fall in love with the game. When I was 8-9 years old, I started playing gully cricket on the roads. My mom felt it was too dangerous for me to play on the road (laughs), so she enrolled me in a cricket academy, and that’s how it all started.

How satisfying were the triple wins for Karnataka in your first-class debut season?

It was a very special feeling to win the Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. I have been very lucky to play with a bunch of talented and hard-working team. All the hard work really helped, I guess.

You have been part of 2 IPL squads – RCB and RR. How different has it been with both of them?

Both were very different, in their own ways. RCB was obviously special since it’s my home city, whereas RR gave me heaps of opportunities to prove my worth. If you ask me to choose between the two sides, I really can’t!

A 22-year-old sharing the dressing room with international players. Were there any nerves? Which international star has helped you the most, with your game? Whose brains did you pick the most?

The team made sure there were no junior-senior differences, and everyone backed each other to do well. Rahul Dravid sir and Shane Watson backed me a lot and gave me the confidence to play my natural game.

“It was a very special feeling to win the Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy”

If Karun was not a cricketer, what would he be?

(laughs) I haven’t thought about that… maybe an engineer!

One bowler of the yesteryears you would have loved to have played?

Glenn McGrath.

How difficult is the transition from 4-day cricket to T20 cricket? Which format do you prefer more?

I think you require more patience while playing the 4-day format. While trying to adapt to T20 cricket, I had a few bad games in the first half, because I was too much in a hurry while playing my shots. I took my time, and played my normal game, and thus adjusted to T20 format.

Both the formats are here to stay, so I would prefer giving them equal importance.

You have played both as an opener as well as a middle order batsman. What is your preference?

I would like to stick to opening while playing T20 cricket, and the middle order while playing for Karnataka.

Who are your idols?

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

Everyone is a fan of Karun, the compact batsman, but very few know about Karun, the off-break bowler. Tell us more about your bowling escapades.

Actually, I haven’t devoted much time to my bowling, since the last 2-3 years since my primary role is with the bat. Maybe in the near future, I can try to accommodate some bowling practice!

After you, which Karnataka player has the potential to play for Team India?

R. Samarth.

What next? What do you think needs to be improved upon to make it to Team India?

I don’t think there is one such aspect I need to improve upon. I am trying to look for improvements on all levels on a day-to-day basis.

What is your mantra for success?

Hard work, nothing else. The more you work, the better your chances are to succeed!