Post the 2022 domestic season, Nair was snubbed from all formats by Karnataka. The right-handed batter went nearly 14 months without any competitive cricket before finding a revival through a County Championship contract with Northamptonshire. Nair revealed that a prominent Indian cricketer said retiring to focus on T20 leagues would provide him with financial security.
“I was never going to give up on playing for India again. That was just over two years ago and look where we are now,” he insists. “It’s crazy but deep down, I knew I was good enough.”
A comeback story with Karun Nair 🔝
P.S. – A special message from KL Rahul 👌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @karun126 | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/PeYCsNtnxv
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2025
Nair has strengthened his case to make the India Test XI again after making a roaring comeback during the India A clash against England Lions recently in Canterbury. Nair slammed a double-century against the Lions side, marking his 5th First-Class century since the start of the year where he led Vidarbha’s run to the Ranji Trophy title with three knockouts centuries.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir hailed Nair’s perseverance before the team’s first hit out in England ahead of the first match, starting on Friday in Headingley.
“No matter how many runs you have scored – what matters most is that never-say-die attitude, that never-give-up mindset. That’s what has brought you back into the team. It’s something that inspires the whole world,” Gambhir said in a BCCI.tv video.
Having featured in six Tests between 2016-17, Nair amassed 374 runs, including a record-breaking 303 not out against England in Chennai, nine years ago.
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