What he had wished for, he has achieved today: Karun Nair's parents

Karun Nair rushed from 201 to 303 in just 75 deliveries not only to hurry up India's declaration but also to do it before his parents, watching from the upper tier hospitality box in the north stands of the MA Chidambaram Stadium, left to catch the evening flight back to Bengaluru.

Kaladharan Nair and Prema Nair were thrilled to watch their son Karun become only the second Indian to score a triple Test century, the mother even jumping in joy and waving at his son after he cut Adil Rashid to the boundary to reach the milestone.

They went through tense moments for about 10 minutes when Karun was in the 290s. Every run from his blade as he approached 300 was acknowledged with a clap from the Nairs and the countdown continued.

Kaladharan has encouraged Karun to play cricket since childhood. Having played cricket only till school level, led him to provide his son the avenues to reach higher levels and thus sent him to a coaching centre. There has been no looking back since then.

"Very, very happy," Prema said wiping her tears of joy even as Kaladharan was surrounded by media personnel for his reactions.

"Very happy, what more can you get?" said Nair (Sr).

"What impressions can I give? Nothing better than what I have seen directly sitting here. It's a great achievement. What he had wished for, he has achieved today (Monday). He wanted to come out very well.

"His first two Tests, unfortunately, did not go his way. But finally, he has proved that he belongs here," said Kaladharan as he kept an eye on his son who was walking back to the pavilion, acknowledging the thunderous applause from the spectators after India's declaration.

The parents were nervous. "Before his 100, we were nervous. Before his 200, we were nervous. Now, before 300, we were nervous. But that is part of the game. We prayed that he should get it. He is capable of scoring triple centuries. He tries to score the maximum. He got a triple century once before in Ranji Trophy – 328," said Kaladharan, a businessman in Bengaluru, who has not missed any of his son's matches in Bengaluru right from his school days.

The father and son did chat for a couple of minutes on Sunday night when Nair was batting on 71. "We don't talk about cricket," Nair (Sr) said. "Nothing about cricket. Whatever he has to do on the field, he knows. What advice can we give? We just wish he does well. He is mature enough. We don't want to tell how to play and all that."

The Nairs have been in Chennai for the first four days of action and had to return as Prema has to go back to Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Bengaluru, where she teaches.

Not only had the parents soaked in the atmosphere of their son reaching 303. Karun's sister Shruti, elder by 10 years, has been following all his cricket from Canada despite the huge time difference.

Kaladharan, while being thrilled at his son's feat, also felt for Karun's close friend KL Rahul missing out on 200.

"The two have batted together for Karnataka. They have always been partners. Now they have come back in Tests. We feel sad for Rahul for missing 200. They are so good friends. Nair has compensated for Rahul's miss with 300," said Kaladharan before rushing to catch the elevator on the way to boarding the flight back to Bengaluru.