Nair, who has been signed up by Northamptonshire for the final stages of the 2023 County Championship, brought up his 16th first-class ton in a must-win game for his new team at the Kia Oval.

Walking in to bat at No.4 with the scorecard reading 51-2, Nair was cautious in his approach as wickets kept falling around him. At 193-7, the Northants were in trouble, but Nair combined with Tom Taylor (66) to take the team to 307.

In the process, he also brought up his maiden ton in the Championship, getting to the milestone from the last ball of the 92nd ball.

Daniel Worrall bowled a bouncer, which Nair, on 99, effortlessly ramped over the keeper’s head for a four. The right-hander took 184 balls for his hundred, and hit 17 boundaries in the process.

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Nair, who is only the second player from India with a triple-century in Test cricket, last played an international game in March 2017, three months after his milestone. He played only three Ranji games since the 2021 season, before being signed up by Northamptonshire.

On his county debut last week against Warwickshire, Nair top-scored for his side, making 78 in a total of 250.

Watch Karun Nair get to his hundred here:

That is a simply magnificent way for Karun Nair to reach his first @NorthantsCCC century#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/KDE4lXn6aZ

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 20, 2023