Karun Nair Poised for Test Comeback After Eight-Year Hiatus
Karun Nair's Anticipated Return to Test Cricket
Karun Nair is on the verge of a significant milestone in his cricket career as he prepares to rejoin India's Test squad, nearly eight years after his last appearance. The forthcoming series against England marks a highly anticipated return for the middle-order batsman, who previously made headlines with a remarkable triple century in just his third Test match.
Nair debuted in 2016, scoring an impressive 303 not out in Chennai, but his first-class career faced unexpected challenges. His last Test was played in March 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala, and since then, opportunities have been scarce despite a promising start. However, the landscape has shifted with the retirement of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, creating an opening for Nair, who has consistently performed well in domestic cricket.
In a conversation with the BCCI following his selection for the England tour, the 32-year-old expressed his excitement about the comeback. He acknowledged that the desire to return never faded and that he worked hard to regain his spot on the team. The call-up provided him with immense relief and renewed confidence in his ability to perform at the international level.
Reflecting on his journey, Nair described this moment as a 'full-circle' experience. He was part of India's squad during the 2018 tour of England but did not participate in any Tests. Now, with a chance to secure a place in the playing XI, he aims to make the most of this second opportunity and savor every moment in the Indian whites once again.
Nair expressed his honor in wearing the national jersey, stating that seeing his teammates for the first time made him feel like he had truly rejoined the team after a long wait. He remarked, 'Getting that first session under the belt was a relief. I’m grateful for this opportunity. Life has come full circle because I went out of the team in England, and now I’m coming back into the team in England.'