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The opening Test of the England vs India series at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025, marked not only the dawn of a new era for Indian cricket but also a heartwarming comeback. As Shubman Gill led a youthful Indian side in the post-Kohli and post-Rohit era, all eyes turned to Karun Nair, who returned to the Test XI after an extraordinary wait of over eight years. In a match where Sai Sudharsan made his debut, it was Nair’s reappearance that captured the imagination of everyone, symbolizing resilience and the unpredictable nature of sporting careers.
Karun Nair’s remarkable return to India’s playing XI against England
Nair’s journey back to the Indian Test team is a testament to perseverance. Last seen in the whites for India during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar series, Nair’s career seemed to have stalled despite his triple century against England in 2016. Dropped from both the national and state sides, Nair’s struggle was public—he once posted, “Cricket, please give me another chance.” That chance finally arrived at Leeds, where he was slotted to bat at No. 6, ending a wait of 3004 days (over eight years).
Nair’s recall was powered by a dominant domestic season for Vidarbha and standout performances in the County Championship in 2023 and 2024. The retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, coupled with his own form, opened the door. His selection was not just a reward for persistence but also a symbol of hope for countless cricketers who toil away from the spotlight, waiting for that elusive second chance.
List of Indian players with longest gap between Test appearances for India
Nair’s return places him in an exclusive club of Indian cricketers who have endured the longest waits between Test appearances. These stories often reflect the unpredictability of selection, personal comebacks, and the changing tides of Indian cricket.
Here’s a look at the top ten Indian players with the longest gaps between two Test matches:
| Player | Gap Between Appearances |
| Lala Amarnath | 12 years, 129 days |
| Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi | 12 years, 10 days |
| Jaydev Unadkat | 12 years, 2 days |
| Dattaram Dharmaji Hindlekar | 9 years, 357 days |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali | 9 years, 336 days |
| Cottari Subbanna Nayudu | 9 years, 329 days |
| Vijay Merchant | 9 years, 308 days |
| Dinesh Karthik | 8 years, 144 days |
| Parthiv Patel | 8 years, 107 days |
| Karun Nair | 8 years, 83 days |
At the very top is Lala Amarnath, who holds the record with a remarkable gap of over 12 years and 4 months between his Test appearances. Close behind him is Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, with a gap of just over 12 years, followed by Jaydev Unadkat, whose return to Test cricket came after 12 years and 2 days.
The next set of players—Dattaram Dharmaji Hindlekar, Syed Mushtaq Ali, Cottari Subbanna Nayudu, and Vijay Merchant—all had to wait between 9 years and 308 to 357 days before donning the Indian whites again. These lengthy gaps often resulted from changes in selection policies, personal circumstances, or the infrequent scheduling of Test matches in the early years of Indian cricket.
In more recent times, wicketkeepers Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel both made comebacks after more than eight years away from the Test side, showcasing the unpredictability and competitiveness of Indian cricket. Completing the list is Nair, whose return after 8 years and 83 days places him among this rare group. Each player’s journey reflects resilience and a never-give-up attitude, underlining how Test cricket careers can sometimes offer unexpected second chances, even after long absences from the international stage.
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