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Cricketer Karun Nair expresses feelings of internal despair, admits frustration with not knowing how to proceed; endures exhausting 3-hour daily commute to practice field where he faces 600 balls daily.

Test cricketer Karun Nair secures re-entry into India's specialist squad after more than eight years, on account of strong achievements within domestic competitions. | Sports News

Test cricketer Karun Nair returns to India's national team after an eight-year absence, having...
Test cricketer Karun Nair returns to India's national team after an eight-year absence, having demonstrated impressive form in the domestic competition. | Sports

Karun Nair Makes a Stunning Comeback to the Indian Test Team After Eight Years

Cricketer Karun Nair expresses feelings of internal despair, admits frustration with not knowing how to proceed; endures exhausting 3-hour daily commute to practice field where he faces 600 balls daily.

Following a remarkable turnaround in domestic and IPL cricket, Karun Nair has earned a recall to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against England, having last played Test cricket in 2017.

Nair's comeback is the culmination of a determined effort, both on and off the field. His impressive recent performances, particularly a 1553-run haul in the domestic circuit and leading Vidarbha to the Ranji Trophy final, have caught the eye of the selectors.

The journey back for Nair has been far from straightforward. After being dropped from the Karnataka setup in 2022, he sought help from his former U-25 coach, Vijayakumar Madyalkar, who recounted Nair's plea, "I don't know what to do, sir. Let's please discuss and do something..." That discussion blossomed into a months-long project that saw Nair commit to intensive batting drills at Madyalkar's Just Cricket Academy.

When domestic cricket took a pause during the 2022-23 season, Nair seized the opportunity to showcase his talent overseas, signing on for a County stint in Northamptonshire. His debut performance, a 150 in just his second game, caught the attention of selectors, and he carried that momentum into the Ranji Trophy campaign, amassing 883 runs in the competition and a further 423 in the knockout stages.

Nair's resurgence has been fueled by a blend of mental fortitude and physical transformation. Struggling to find a place in the Karnataka team, Nair faced personal setbacks, including a near-death experience. Undeterred, he utilized social media to express his desire for another chance, demonstrating his resilience. On the physical front, Nair shed 10 kg and gained 5 kg of muscle mass, enhancing his fitness and performance.

With Virat Kohli's retirement opening up a void in the Indian middle order, Nair seized the opportunity to claw his way back into the national fold. A strong showing in the 2025 IPL season, where he scored 89 runs off 40 deliveries in his first game back and finished the season with a valuable 44 runs to help Delhi Capitals secure a win against Punjab Kings, served as a timely reminder of his abilities.

As India prepare for the daunting challenge of England's formidable bowlers, the selectors have chosen to take a chance on Nair. The experienced right-hander, who became only the second Indian to score a triple-century in Tests in 2016, now has the opportunity to prove his worth and secure a lasting place in the side.

  • Indian Cricket Team
  • India Vs England
  • Karun Nair

After a successful comeback to domestic and IPL cricket, Karun Nair has been selected for the Indian Cricket Team for the forthcoming series against England.

His impressive performances in the domestic circuit, where he scored a remarkable 1553 runs, and his contributions to Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy final run have caught the attention of the selectors, setting the stage for his return to Test cricket after eight years.

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