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STUMP VISION JUNE 20, 2025 | The Indian Eye 41

Karun Nair’s Redemption: Talent,

Grit, and a Second Chance in England

Eight years after his last Test, Karun Nair returns to the Indian side—carrying the weight

of resilience, a mountain of domestic runs, and the hopes of a team in transition.

OUR BUREAU in the squad for the England series.
The significance of Nair’s in-
London
clusion extends beyond personal
s India embarks on a new redemption. In a team filled with
chapter in Test cricket with- emerging players and a new leader-
Aout stalwarts like Virat Kohli, ship core under captain Shubman
Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin, one Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant,
of the most poignant stories of this his presence offers experience, stabil-
transformation is the return of Karun ity, and a proven temperament. Gill,
Nair. Once celebrated as India’s sec- who addressed the team with Gam-
ond-ever Test triple centurion, Nair bhir before the tour, emphasized
is back in the national squad after an making each session meaningful and
eight-year exile—thanks to a sensa- playing with purpose—values Nair
tional domestic season and an unwav- seems to embody after years in the
ering belief in his own abilities. wilderness.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, India’s challenge in England is
who addressed the squad ahead of daunting. With unfamiliar faces in
the five-Test series against England, the batting order and a tough five-
made a point to single out Nair during Test series looming from June 20 to
the team huddle. “Comebacks are August 4 at iconic venues like Lord’s,
never easy. Someone who has made The Oval, and Old Trafford, the tran-
a comeback after seven years had a sition from the old guard to the new
phenomenal last year. More than the will be under intense scrutiny. But
runs, it’s his never-give-up attitude Nair’s presence—his patience forged
that’s inspiring for this entire world,” in county grounds and confidence re-
Gambhir said, welcoming Nair back built across formats—could be vital
into the Test setup. in anchoring the middle order.
The 32-year-old batter, who last
played a Test for India in March 2017, What makes Nair’s return all
had faded from the spotlight after a
brief but explosive introduction to the more compelling is not just
international cricket. His unbeaten the weight of runs or his past
303 against England in 2016 remains
etched in Indian cricket history, but feats, but his timing. In a mo-
consistency and opportunities did not ment when India is seeking new
follow. That story now takes a hope-
ful turn, as Nair reclaims his place heroes in red-ball cricket, his
in the side on the back of staggering story is a reminder that come-
numbers across formats.
Nair’s 2024-25 domestic season backs are possible—and that
was nothing short of prolific. In the cricket, more than any other
Ranji Trophy, he amassed 863 runs Karun Nair plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 (ANI)
at an average of 53.93, including four sport, rewards resilience.
centuries and a gritty 135 in the final
that led Vidarbha to the title. He fol- derlined his form with 259 runs in hul, a long-time friend and former As Gambhir told the team: “If
lowed that up with a dominant Vijay three innings, including a double Karnataka teammate, shared a heart- we come out of our comfort zone and
Hazare Trophy campaign, topping century. His return to English con- felt message praising Nair’s persever- start fighting—not just every day, but
the scoring charts with 779 runs at an ditions is bolstered further by two ance. “The months he spent in the every session, every hour and every
eye-popping average of 389.50 and County Championship seasons with UK playing county cricket, how hard ball—we can have an unbelievable
a strike rate of 124.04. In the Syed Northamptonshire, where he scored and lonely it was—he still pushed team.” For Karun Nair, that fight
Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he added anoth- 736 runs in 10 matches at an average through. For him to do all that and never stopped.
er 255 runs at a strike rate nearing 180. of 56.61, including two centuries and return to the Indian team is special Now, after years of waiting, the
During the India A tour against a top score of 202*. for him, for his family, and for us who stage is his once again. And if histo-
England Lions, which served as a Nair’s grit has not gone unno- have seen his journey. It’s really in- ry is any indicator, he knows how to
warm-up for this series, Nair un- ticed by teammates either. KL Ra- spiring,” said Rahul, who joins Nair seize it.

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