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After nearly eight years in the wilderness, Karun Nair’s return to the India Test squad for the England series is a story of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering belief. As India enters a period of transition, seeking new heroes to step up in the absence of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Nair’s recall is both a reward for his extraordinary domestic form and a testament to the power of second chances. The emotional highlight of this comeback has been the heartfelt message from his close friend and Karnataka teammate, KL Rahul, who will share the dressing room with Nair once again.
A journey of Karun Nair forged in grit and glory
Nair’s path back to the national side has been anything but straightforward. Once hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket after his historic triple century against England in Chennai in 2016, Nair’s fortunes dipped sharply, with his last Test appearance dating back to March 2017. Yet, rather than fade into obscurity, Nair chose to rebuild, grinding it out in domestic cricket and the English county circuit.
His 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign was nothing short of sensational—863 runs at an average nearing 54, four centuries, and a championship-winning knock of 135 in the final. Across formats, he was relentless: topping the Vijay Hazare Trophy charts with 779 runs at a staggering average of 389.50 and a strike rate above 124, and starring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 255 runs at a strike rate of 177.08. Nair’s county stint with Northamptonshire further sharpened his skills, yielding 736 runs in 10 matches at an average of 56.61, including a double ton, underscoring his adaptability and hunger for runs.
KL Rahul’s emotional tribute to Nair on his comeback
The emotional core of Nair’s comeback story is the support and admiration from Rahul, his longtime friend and Karnataka teammate. Speaking to the BCCI, Rahul reflected on Nair’s solitary grind in the UK, his battles with self-doubt, and the sheer determination that powered his return.
“I’ve known him for a very long time and the months that he 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, I think it’s special for him, for his family, and for friends like us who’ve seen his journey. It’s very inspiring as well and hopefully his experience and his learnings from playing county cricket here will hold him in good stead when he plays the Test matches here,” Rahul said in a video shared by BCCI.
Rahul’s words resonate deeply, not just as a teammate but as someone who has witnessed Nair’s journey up close—the highs of a triple century, the lows of being dropped, and the relentless pursuit of redemption. Their camaraderie, forged in the fields of Karnataka and tested on the county grounds of England, now finds a new chapter on the grand stage of Test cricket. As India gear up for a challenging five-Test series in England, Nair’s return is more than a selection—it is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Indian cricket.
A comeback story with Karun Nair 🔝
P.S. – A special message from KL Rahul 👌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @karun126 | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/PeYCsNtnxv
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2025
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