Karun Nair has expressed his deep gratitude for another opportunity to represent India in Test cricket, eight years after his last match in the format. At 33, Nair has bolstered his selection chances with an impressive double-century for India A against the England Lions during the first unofficial Test at Canterbury last week.
Reflecting on his selection, Nair shared with BCCI.tv, “Feels really special. [I’m] Very grateful and fortunate to be able to get this opportunity again. Looking forward to grabbing this opportunity with both hands.”
The batter’s return to the national fold is a result of consistent performances in domestic and county cricket. During the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, Nair amassed 863 runs with an average of 53.93, helping Vidarbha to claim the title. His prowess in white-ball cricket was similarly notable, as he scored five hundreds in eight innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with an extraordinary average of 389.50.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted Nair’s familiarity with English conditions, thanks to his stint at Northamptonshire during the County Championship, as a reason for his inclusion. Nair featured in ten matches over two seasons (2023-2024), accumulating 736 runs at 56.61.
Gautam Gambhir, head coach, praised Nair’s resilience at a team session, remarking, “Comebacks are never easy. The amount of runs you’ve got, the never-give-up attitude – it’s inspiring for the entire team. Welcome back, Karun Nair.”
The selectorial leap of faith comes after an extended absence from top-level cricket, triggered partly by past disappointments on the 2018 England tour where he warmed the bench. A blow then came when Hanuma Vihari was summoned for the final Test, sidelining Nair. This setback impacted his domestic form, which, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, saw him at a career crossroads. The once triple-century scorer found himself dropped by Karnataka, spending an entire season away from the game.
Nair’s rejuvenation found roots in England from June 2023 when he played club cricket for Burbage & ER Cricket Club in East Wiltshire. That stint yielded crucial runs and set the stage for his county breakthrough. A subsequent telephone call from a former manager about an opening in county cricket was timely, and Nair was able to seize this second opportunity thanks to a valid visa from his club cricket stint.
KL Rahul, who has shared many cricketing journeys with Nair as a teammate, commented on Nair’s solitary struggles in England. “I’ve known him for a very long time,” said Rahul. “The months he has spent here in the UK playing cricket and how hard and how lonely it was. For him to be able to do all of that and come back into the Indian team is something.”
With robust domestic showings and steely determination, Nair stands on the brink of an international return, illustrating the enduring power of perseverance in sport.
