Chennai: Middle order batsman Karun Nair struck a sensational triple hundred, the first by an Indian to convert his maiden century, as the dominant home team notched up its highest ever test score, to take a vice-like grip at the end of fourth day of the fifth and final cricket test against England here today.
Resuming at 391 for four in 108 overs, Karun Nair (71 not out) put the pedestrian English attack to the sword, hitting a career best 303 not out, as India piled up 759 for seven, before declaring is first innings about 16 minutes before close.Thanks to Karun's marathon effort, India has secured a huge first innings lead of 282 runs, and on a fifth day pitch tomorrow, with the spinners expected to exploit the bowler's rough, it is poised to press home the advantage and win the series 4-0.
With a mountain to climb, England were 12 for no loss in their second essay when stumps were drawn.Karun Nair, is the first Indian to convert his maiden ton into a triple hundred, and became the youngest player to achieve the feat and third in the world after Gary Sobers and Bob Simpson.
His knock was also the highest ever by Indian to convert his maiden hundred, after Vinod Kambli's 224 against England in 1993.On a day when record books went for a six, India reached its highest ever test score, surpassing the 726 for nine declared against Sri Lanka at Mumbai in 2009.This was for the fourth time India has scored in excess of 700 runs in a test. (UNI)