Karun Nair became the second Indian batsman after Virender Sehwag to score a triple hundred in Test cricket. The fourth day of the fifth Test against England in Chennai turned out to be a memorable one for Nair, as he scored his maiden triple ton playing only in his third Test match for India.

India immediately declared their first innings at 759/7 leading by 282 runs, after Nair reached his triple hundred off 381 balls. He also was the quickest in Test history in terms of innings taken to score a triple century. Len Hutton did so in his ninth innings and Nair achieved the landmark in only his third innings. (In pics: Karun Nair slams record-breaking triple hundred)

There were lot of firsts for young Nair en route to his maiden triple hundred. He joined the elite list of batsmen after Gary Sobers (WI) and Bob Simpson (Aus) to notch up a triple hundred after scoring their maiden Test tons.

Earlier in the day, he got to his maiden Test hundred in the morning session and at tea, Nair was unbeaten on 195. Nair didn't look back after resuming from overnight score of 71 and didn't take much time after the tea break to notch up his first double hundred, which his Karnataka team-mate KL Rahul missed yesterday by one run. (Scorecard)

Nair also became the quickest to score a double ton for India - doing it in his third innings. Vinod Kambli did so in his fourth innings. He reached yet another landmark by an Indian batsman with highest individual score against England, previous best was by Virat Kohli (235). (Karun Nair's record-shattering triple hundred: All the stats you need to know)

The 25-year-old walked out to the crease at the fall of Virat Kohli with India 211/3 and stitched a century-run stand with Rahul. Nair made a watchful start and played the deliveries on its merit. After getting his eye in, runs started to flow for the youngster on a flat Chepauk track.

He made his debut in the third Test in Mohali when he replaced an injured Rahul. Nair became India's 287th player to debut for India and received his Test cap from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. But couldn't do much in his first Test match after getting run out for 4.

However, India retained him for the fourth Test in Mumbai after Ajinkya Rahane was ruled out due to an injury. Nair, here too couldn't do much with the bat and scored only 13 with India batting only once. (Karun Nair's triple ton: All stats you need to know)

The Karnataka batsman was waiting in the wings after having been consistent at the domestic level. In his 37 first-class matches, Nair has scored 2845 runs at an average of 52.68. He had an impressive 2013-14 Ranji Trophy season and also helped Karnataka win the title after 15 years, by scoring hundreds in the quarterfinal and semifinal. In the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy final, Nair again proved to be a big match player by scoring a triple hundred and helping Karnataka retain the title. (Welcome to the 300-club, it was very lonely for 12 years: Virender Sehwag to Karun Nair)

The transition for him to the international stage would not have been a problem after going through the rigours of domestic cricket. Moreover, the emergence of Nair will throw up a healthy competition for a spot in the middle-order once Rohit Sharma and Rahane get fit. Nonetheless, a pleasant headache for the selectors to have.