Karun Kaladharan Nair, the Rajasthan born 20-year-old right-handed batsman, has been making waves with big scores time and again on the local cricket circuit. A batting all-rounder, Karun has done enough to be in the reckoning for domestic, representative cricket. His childhood interest took wings when he did well in the under-15 tournaments.
Soon, Karun attracted the attention of the selectors and was selected for the KSCA Colts XI, the KSCA XI, Karnataka Under-15, Karnataka Under-19 teams as well. The hard-working boy not only did well in the longer versions but also excelled in the shorter formats. Thus, as the KSCA launched its own limited-overs T20 tournament, Karun was selected to play for the Mangalore United team in the KPL tournament. He top-scored for them with a knock of 21 in a low scoring final. A right arm off-spinner of no mean ability, he also bagged 4 for 13 and starred in Mangalore United defeating Bangalore Provident (Rural) in the 2010 KPL final and win the title.
Not surprisingly, Karun then signed for the Indian Premier League T20 side, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. With an array of stars on the roster, Karun is yet to get a proper look in but the moment he gets the opportunity, he is bound to make the most of it and move up the ladder.
Karun has also played for the India Under-19 team and is awaiting the big breaks. With his consistent showing, that day will not be far. Somehow, the big moments have always brought out the best from him. Just as he stole the thunder in the KPL final two years back, he again put up a splendid show in another final - the S A Srinivasan Memorial Trophy final against Combined City XI.
Turning out for the Bangalore City XI, Karun hammered a splendid double century and that ensured a big total for his team. As it turned out to be, they won the match on the first innings lead and he walked away in glory and another trophy in his hands. Batting first, Bangalore City XI put up a mammoth 449 for 8 before declaring their innings. Karun, who has been in majestic form, followed up his centuries against Mysore Zone and Tumkur Zone earlier in the competition, with another big one in the final.
Karun hammered a patient but attractive 266. He faced only 245 deliveries and sent the bowlers on a leather hunt. He struck 32 boundaries and cleared the ropes eight times in a show of raw aggression but matched by immaculate technique and copybook footwork.
Never did he put a foot wrong or allow bowlers to get him. He also turned his arm over but without success yet he limited the opponents to a low score with economical spells whenever called upon. Combined City XI could manage just 225 runs and as the game dragged towards an inevitable draw, Karun’s big knock saw his team being declared as the winners by virtue of their huge first innings lead.
It was double delight for Karun. His three centuries in the tournament earned him the Best Batsman of the tournament. The tournament was barely over, when he turned out for his club, Vultures Cricket Club in the KSCA’s group I, division I cricket league. He promptly hammered another century making a brisk 125 as Vultures recorded a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Modern Cricket Club.
Surely, bowlers dread the prospect of bowling to Karun. He could possibly set a record for the number of centuries that have been scored in a season in all competitions by the time it ends.
Just as many of his contemporaries have done, Karun is possibly waiting for the first taste of senior-level competition. No sooner he gets that, he is bound to prove himself and scale greater heights. Karnataka and India surely have a promising lad trying to scale the ladder.
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