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

Support for Karun Nair's Recall

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 5: Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his endorsement for Karun Nair, who has been reinstated to the national Test squad 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 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 conference.

He further stated, "Young players will recognize its significance. If you perform well, opportunities will always be available to you."

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

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

Highlighting the importance of a measured approach with returning players, Gambhir emphasized that Nair would not be evaluated too quickly. He stressed that players who demonstrate their capabilities over time in domestic cricket deserve a fair chance at the international level.

"We will not judge a player based on just one or two Test matches," he added.

"If a player has accumulated significant runs, they will be given a fair opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage," he continued.

Nair's selection comes at a pivotal moment for Indian Test cricket, especially 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, boasting an average of 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 and eight innings, averaging an astonishing 389.50 with 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 tournament, 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.