Karun Nair, the Indian batter who’s making a return to the Test team after eight years, recently reflected on his triple century and wishes he had celebrated it more. In a chat with Ravichandran Ashwin, he mentioned that he should’ve taken time to really enjoy that moment.
Nair’s comeback follows an amazing domestic season where he played a big role in his team winning the Ranji Trophy. He also had a stint with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, notably performing well against top bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
He admitted that he’s not the type to go overboard with celebrations but has learned to embrace his achievements more in recent years. “I should have celebrated that 300 a lot more. I didn’t enjoy that moment as I should have. I see how others celebrate their milestones and now I realize you shouldn’t keep your joy to yourself,” Nair said.
He also shared his take on the changing nature of cricket, saying it’s not really a gentleman’s game anymore, with players showing more personality on the field. When asked about younger players, he mentioned he feels a bit out of touch. “The younger generation is free to express themselves in ways we couldn’t. I’m not sure if the term ‘gentleman’s game’ will mean anything in the future,” Nair explained.
He suggested that young players might look up to someone like Rahul Dravid as an example of the traditional cricket values. As for Nair, he’s hoping to land a spot in the Indian team for the upcoming Test against England, likely batting at No. 3 or No. 4, depending on what the team needs.