Karun Nair witnesses highs and lows of the game

Sports is a big teacher and can get very cruel at times. It is not often that you score a triple century for your country in the Test cricket against a quality opposition like England. It is depressing if you fade away into oblivion just months after recording the rare feat. I am talking about none other than Karun Nair. He scored the triple century in 2017 at Chepauk. However, he faded away by December 2017. At this point, he is not even in the scheme of things as far as India’s planning for.

Meanwhile, even during his absence from the national team, Karun is determined to make some mark in domestic cricket. He is all set to lead Karnataka in the Vijaya Hazare Trophy in the absence of Vinay Kumar. Karnataka will take on Hyderabad in the quarter-final at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday. When asked how life has been post-triple hundred, he said that the past year was really tough for him.

Last year again made me level-headed after flying high

“The past one year has shown me everything. It took me to a high and then brought me down to earth,” he said. So when asked what lesson he has learnt from it, Karun said, “It has taught me to stay level-headed emotionally. You can’t fly high when you are on top as you can come down at any moment. You have to remain the same person. It’s shown me everything in my life in just one year,” Nair added.

He didn’t shy away from accepting the fact that he felt frustrated at times when he was going through a lean patch.

“It was frustrating. I was batting well but not converting the starts I was getting. It started frustrating me and it took some time to come out of it. But then I sat back and thought as to why I had started playing the game. I started looking at it that way. And it has helped me,” said Karun.

Karnataka is expected to face a tough challenge from Hyderabad. Hyderabad has some international stars and will look to come hard against Karnataka.

However, Karun is confident of leading the side in Vinay’s absence.

Karun has always enjoyed the captaincy

“I have always enjoyed captaincy whenever I have got an opportunity. Even when Vinay leads the side, I give my inputs. My theory is simple – when I am batting, I am a batsman and not the captain. Once I am fielding, I am the captain. My immediate goal is to win tomorrow’s game. One match at a time,” added Nair.

He stressed on the fact that despite having a good season it has been the key moments which has been their undoing.

“Throughout the season, we have been doing well but in one-off matches, we have lost out on crucial moments. That one moment (fifth day vs Vidarbha) changed the season for us. The problem with Karnataka is that we have set the bar so high in recent years that people expect us to win everything,” he said.

He further stated that the return of Stuart Binny and Srinath Arvind will be positive for the team. However, the team will miss the services of Vinay accepted Karun.

“We are going to miss one of our main bowlers but all the youngsters are up for it and they are looking forward towards grabbing the opportunity. One performance can take anyone anywhere. But the good news is Arvind and Stuart are back but yes, we will certainly miss Vinay,” said Karun.

Karun Nair is more concerned to see Karnataka win the Vijay Hazare Trophy rather than thinking about his personal game.

“I am just looking forwards towards contributing in Karnataka’s victories. If we win most games and if I can perform to my potential, I will be happy. But my team must win, that’s my priority. It’s not just, Oh I will always score runs because that’s not in my control,” he concluded.

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