ENG vs IND [Fact check]: Did KL Rahul comfort an emotional Karun Nair after Manchester Test omission?

Karun Nair‘s comeback to India’s Test team during the 2025 England tour was met with much excitement and hope. After eight years away from international cricket, many fans expected a story of redemption. Unfortunately, the narrative shifted when Nair, after a series of underwhelming performances, was dropped for the fourth Test at Manchester. Soon, a photo surfaced online—allegedly showing a heartbroken Nair being comforted by KL Rahul after his omission—igniting a storm of speculation. But how true is this viral story?

Karun Nair’s struggles on the field fuel emotional tales

The disappointment surrounding  Nair’s brief second stint at the highest level was palpable among fans and pundits alike. Given six innings to re-establish himself, Nair managed only 131 runs at an average of 21.83, with a highest score of 40. Following this disappointing return, the selectors replaced him with B Sai Sudharsan for the pivotal fourth Test.

The emotional undercurrents in both media narratives and fan discussions reflected the intense pressures and heartbreaks that often accompany selection and exclusion in elite sports. While it is entirely plausible that Nair experienced deep frustration and soul-searching, claims of public displays of tears in the Manchester dressing room are not supported by credible evidence. Speculation in sports, especially after tough losses, sometimes morphs into rumors that take on a life of their own.

Also WATCH: KL Rahul grabs a sharp catch to dismiss Ollie Pope on Day 3 of the fourth Test

The viral image of KL Rahul and Nair: An old story in a new setting

The evocative image sweeping social media of an allegedly tearful Nair being consoled by Rahul, said to be taken after the Manchester snub, is factually misleading. A detailed fact check uncovers that the photograph in question actually dates back to the earlier Lord’s Test.

Key background details, such as the iconic white balcony at Lord’s, reveal the real setting of the image. Importantly, there is no evidence in the image of Nair crying; instead, the scene has been taken out of context and given a new, false narrative. Thus, the viral story of Rahul consoling Nair after Manchester is completely unfounded—another example of how images can be repurposed to fuel misinformation in sports discourse.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Fans go wild as Joe Root slams 38th century on Day 3 of Manchester Test