Gautam Gambhir Backs Karun Nair's Return to India's Test Squad

Support for Karun Nair's Recall

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has expressed his endorsement for Karun Nair, who has been reinstated to the national Test team after an impressive domestic season with Vidarbha in 2024-25. Nair's remarkable consistency in domestic cricket has caught the attention of selectors, and Gambhir believes that his experience will be vital during the upcoming tour of England.

"This is a significant moment for domestic cricket," Gambhir remarked during a pre-departure press briefing.

"Young players will recognize its significance. If you consistently perform well, opportunities will always be available," he added.

Praise for Nair's Domestic Achievements

Nair, who last represented India in a Test match back in 2017, has excelled in the domestic arena. He recently showcased his skills in an unofficial Test for India A against the England Lions, where he scored an impressive 204 runs in English conditions.

"Having Karun's experience is always beneficial," Gambhir noted, adding, "He has played County cricket and is currently in excellent form. His experience will be invaluable."

Gambhir emphasized the importance of a patient approach towards returning players, stating that Nair would not be evaluated hastily. He stressed that players who demonstrate their capabilities over time in domestic cricket deserve a fair chance at the international level.

"We won't make judgments based on just one or two Test matches," he stated.

"If a player has accumulated significant runs, they will be given ample opportunities to showcase their talent on the international stage," he concluded.

Nair's Role in India's Test Team Transition

Nair's selection comes at a crucial time for Indian Test cricket, following the retirements of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The standout season for the Vidarbha player concluded with an impressive 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy, averaging 53.93, including four centuries and two fifties across 16 innings in nine matches. His highest score of 135 was achieved in the final, leading his team to victory.

A significant highlight of his season was the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he emerged as the top scorer with 779 runs in nine matches, boasting an extraordinary average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04, including five centuries and a fifty, with a best score of 163*. He played a crucial role in his team's journey to the finals, where they were narrowly defeated by his former team, Karnataka.

In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 competition, Nair accumulated 255 runs in six innings, averaging 42.50 with a strike rate of 177.08, including three half-centuries and a top score of 77. Unfortunately, his team was eliminated in the quarterfinals.