Karun Nair's Inspiring Comeback: How Mind Coaching Transformed His Career
Overcoming Despair: Karun Nair's Journey
Karun Nair's descent into despair in 2018 is a well-known story of struggle, but what ultimately helped him rise again? The answer lies with Shree Advani, a mind coach based in Bengaluru, who guided Karun during his most challenging times. Shree played a crucial role in ensuring that Karun did not let his exclusion from the team, despite achieving a rare triple century in Tests, define his self-worth.
Shree, who is the brother of renowned 28-time World Champion cueist Pankaj Advani, worked closely with Karun for a year and was impressed by his unwavering commitment to the sport, even when it seemed unreciprocated.
We needed to help him understand that his exclusion was not a reflection of his talent. It was essential to maintain his confidence and remind him that he still had much cricket ahead of him," Shree shared, expressing his happiness at Karun's return to the Test squad for the upcoming tour of England.
Despite becoming only the second Indian to score a triple century in December 2016, Karun faced limited opportunities the following year. His frustration peaked when he remained on the bench throughout the entire England tour in 2018.
"Karun has faced numerous challenges in his career. After not being given a chance during the England tour, his frustration was palpable. It was a tough blow, leading to self-doubt and questions about his worth. He wondered, 'What more do I need to do?'" Shree recalled.
The situation worsened when, following COVID-19 lockdowns, he was dropped from the Karnataka Ranji squad. His emotional social media post, pleading for another opportunity, highlighted his desperation. Eventually, he moved to Vidarbha, where his career experienced a revival, culminating in his Test comeback after eight years.
Shree reminisced about their mind sessions between 2018 and 2019, commending Karun's resilience in bouncing back from adversity.
"Even during those tough times, his dedication to the game was remarkable. I believed he would return stronger than ever," said Shree, who has coached elite athletes across various sports.
A Memorable Interaction
Shree has lost track of how many sessions he had with Karun, but one particular moment stands out.
"Karun would take notes during our sessions, which I always encourage. One day, he forgot his notebook at home. He had driven his Mustang, which had the number 303, representing the runs he scored against England. When he realized he left it behind, he drove back to retrieve it before coming to see me. This showed his commitment and dedication to his mental training. It's no surprise that he is back at the top now, thanks to such qualities," Shree remarked.
Reflecting on Achievements
In addition to joining Virender Sehwag in the exclusive club of triple centurions in Tests, Karun also boasts a 300 in the Ranji Trophy.
When he found himself off the selectors' radar, Shree emphasized the importance of remembering his past achievements.
"The 300s in Tests and Ranji are not mere coincidences. Never let a selector's decision dictate your worth," Shree advised him during one of their discussions.
A Message to the Universe
"Dear Cricket, give me one chance," Karun had written on Twitter in December 2022 after being dropped from the Karnataka squad.
Now that the sport has granted him that opportunity, Shree reflected on Karun's mindset during that period.
"That tweet was more about him reaching out to the universe than the selectors. When you connect with the universe, it listens and responds. And that's precisely what has happened now."