Karun Nair is on the brink of a remarkable return to India’s Test side, potentially completing a poetic full-circle journey with the upcoming England series. Once hailed as a future mainstay after his unforgettable triple century against England in Chennai in 2016, Nair’s Test career stalled after just six matches—his last appearance coming in 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala. But now, eight years later, he stands at the doorstep of redemption.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, Nair’s consistent domestic form, maturity, and unwavering hunger have earned him a recall. Speaking to the BCCI, the 33-year-old shared candid insights into the emotional toll and resilience behind his long road back.
“My first thought when I woke up was that I wanted to play Test cricket… That’s probably what kept me going,” he said, capturing the intensity of his desire.
Nair revealed how every single day for the past few years began with the single-minded goal of returning to India’s Test XI. Through form slumps, non-selection, and fading public attention, Nair focused on training, kept visualising his comeback, and never gave up.
Now, back in the Indian dressing room, the feeling is slowly becoming real.
“When I saw everyone for the first time, that’s when I felt that I was finally in the team… till then, it was like a wait,” he confessed.
Interestingly, Nair was part of India’s 2018 tour to England but didn’t play a game. That unfinished chapter now serves as emotional fuel.
“Life has come full circle because I went out of the team in England, and now I’m coming back into the team in England,” he said, embracing the symmetry of the moment.
Nair also spoke about how time away from the national side made him more grounded and self-aware.
“Mentally, I’m more patient and more forgiving of myself… not trying to be someone that I’m not,” he said, highlighting a quiet transformation.
He’s already made his case strongly on the field. A double century in a recent India A vs England Lions game showed that the hunger has been matched by performance. Whether he finds a place in the starting XI remains to be seen, but his return alone is an inspiring tale of perseverance.
For Nair, this isn’t just a selection—it’s a personal vindication. A reminder that Test dreams may flicker, but they don’t die. And now, as India begins a new chapter in the post-Kohli-Rohit era, Karun Nair’s second coming may just offer the stability and class the middle order needs.
