Karun Nair set for a sensational Test comeback after 9 years — tracing his remarkable journey back to Team India’s Test squad.
When Karun Nair celebrated a triple century on his third Test against England in Chennai, he hardly imagined getting dropped four months later. Apart from his unbeaten 303 runs, the right-handed batter added just 71 runs in the remaining six innings at an average of below 11.
Suddenly, his career graph started to go down across formats for various sides. During a recent interview with the Indian Express, the right-handed batter’s coach, Vijaykumar Madyalkar, remembered how Nair checked into his academy with a request to revive his career.
India’s second Test triple-centurion was shocked and clueless after Karnataka snubbed him in June 2022. But, the Jodhpur-born had the hunger and immense trust to turn the table. In the winter of the same season, he tweeted his plea to ‘Dear Cricket’ for ‘one more chance.’
Karun Nair’s unbelievable season in first-class cricket
Nair returned to the national test squad after eight years. At a time when Team India are eyeing a transition in the longest format under newly appointed captain Shubman Gill. It’s the result of two years of sweat, tears, and a grind in silence.
For him, even before the national call-up, it was a special comeback to first-class cricket 14 months after the Karnataka rejection. He earned a deal to feature for Northamptonshire during the County Championship 2023 Division One. Thanks to a best score of 150, he thumped 249 runs at an average of 83, besides a half-century.
The club extended the deal with the veteran for the 2024 season. Nair developed his skill and ended the summer with 487 runs in 11 innings at an average of 48.70, shouldering three fifties and a century. His unbeaten knock of 202 runs against Glamorgan was proof of his rise.
Madyalkar suggested the batter to refine his skills as much as possible. The only way for success is to practice hard.
“Six months. Every alternate day, he used to come to bat 600 balls precisely, facing the side-arm throwers and other bowlers in our academy.” Nair’s coach said in an interview with Indian Express.
His County Championship stint made way for a vital ‘guest’ player appearance for Vidarbha. And, he hasn’t looked back since. The experienced campaigner finished the 2024/25 season with 1553 runs in 33 innings, including his career-best Ranji Trophy with 883 runs. He celebrated four centuries and two fifties to deliver the team a title.
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Ranji Rewind ⏪
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 7, 2024
Karun Nair has been in great form, scoring 616 runs in the #RanjiTrophy so far 👌
He will be crucial to Vidarbha's chances in the #Final
Relive 📽️ the Vidarbha batter's brilliant ton against Rajasthan in the group stage as we get ready for an exciting finale. pic.twitter.com/hGeAgAyNqL
Karun Nair’s impact for Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy 2024/25
For the entire season, Nair contributed immensely at number four and five for the domestic team. In the final against Kerala in Nagpur, the home side was struggling at 24/3 in the opening hour. Meanwhile, their rescue man wasn’t fussed at all.
Putting up a 215-run stand for the fourth wicket, Nair smacked 86 runs in 188 balls, thanks to eight boundaries and a six. It was the same story during the second innings and yet another day in the office for the number four. He nailed a fine knock of 135 runs with 10 fours and two sixes as the game ended in a draw, with Vidarbha winning on the first innings’ lead.
The domestic side’s coach, Usman Ghani, recalled the smooth transition of the Karnataka batter into their group within the first year. He praised how Nair carried the added responsibility and showed confidence during the knockouts.
“He lost 10 kilos and gained about five kilos back in muscles. After the first couple of games, when he started scoring this season, we introduced him to a lot of power training and heavy lifts. He just wanted to transform completely.” Ghani said in the same interview.
Dear cricket, give me one more chance.🤞🏽
— Karun Nair (@karun126) December 10, 2022
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Karun Nair on his way to finish unfinished business
With his IPL 2025 franchise, Delhi Capitals, not qualifying for the playoffs, Karun Nair will get a chance to feature in both FC games for India A. His role in the team will be the same as what it was for Vidarbha.
The 33-year-old is mostly expected to bat at number five after Gill. Both of them have a similar fashion in the red-ball format. They love to take their time to get settled in the middle before freeing the arms once the ball gets old. If things go as planned, then Rishabh Pant can come at number six and display his natural aggression from the first ball.
The selectors have shown faith in Nair to bail the side out of trouble on many occasions. Interestingly, the selectors ignored both Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer in the process.
Nair has already enjoyed the perfect meaning of the idiom ‘make hay while the sun shines.’ Now, it’s up to him to stretch the results of the hard work and fulfill his coach’s wish of him becoming the first centurion for India on the England trip.
This innings was a thing of beauty from Karun Nair. 🤩
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 21, 2023
150 from 246 balls with 23 fours and 2 sixes. 💪pic.twitter.com/7RdrR6ULyK
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