Karun Nair’s long road back: India A call-up rekindles Test hopes

Dubai: For Karun Nair, the wait has felt longer than it should have. A decade after a historic triple hundred put him on top of the world, the Indian batter is finally getting a second chance. Eight years since his last outing in the India jersey, Nair has been named in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England — another shot at redemption, and perhaps a foot back in the Test dressing room.

Nair’s return is as unexpected as it is deserved. Once heralded as India’s next middle-order mainstay, the 33-year-old was lost in the shuffle despite scoring an unbeaten 303 in just his third Test in 2016. But after years in the domestic grind, his name is back on the team sheet — and again, it’s England in the opposition dugout.

A new door opens in England

The right-hander has been included in the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India A squad for the England tour, which kicks off on May 30. India A will play two matches against the England Lions (May 30 — June 2 in Canterbury and June 6–9 in Northampton) followed by an intra-squad game with the senior Indian Test squad from June 13–16 in Beckenham.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also confirmed that Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan will join the squad for the second match once their IPL 2025 commitments end.

A potential No 4?

With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Tests, two key spots have opened in the batting order. Nair’s experience, technique and current form could make him a frontrunner for the crucial No 4 slot — a position once owned by legends like Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble believes Nair could be the steady hand India need in English conditions.

“Karun deserves to come back into the Indian team with the kind of domestic run he has had,” Kumble told ESPNcricinfo. “Perhaps he could be the No. 4 for India because I feel you need a bit of experience. He has played County cricket, so he knows the conditions. Karun may be on the other side of 30, but he’s still young. If he gets an opportunity, there will be a lot more hope for youngsters to play first-class cricket. If sheer performance in domestic cricket doesn’t get recognised, it becomes a bit of a challenge.”

From forgotten to formidable

After his triple hundred, Nair struggled for consistency and was eventually dropped. But he has rebuilt himself from the ground up. In the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy, he scored 863 runs at an average of 53.93, playing a key role in Vidarbha’s title-winning campaign. He finished as the tournament’s fourth-highest run-scorer.

Nair also impressed in County cricket, turning out for Northamptonshire over the past two seasons. Across 14 innings, he amassed 736 runs at an average of 56.61, including two centuries and a top score of 202 not out.

His recent domestic exploits have caught the eye of selectors, and with Gautam Gambhir now at the helm as head coach, there is a clear emphasis on rewarding performance in the longer format.

“Karun is a fabulous player. He’s eager to get massive runs this season,” Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani told Gulf News ahead of IPL 18. “I saw him in the Karnataka Premier League and noticed a second wind to his game. He looked exciting, hungry, and had expanded his shot-making. With his experience and drive, he was an obvious pick for us.”

A hunger that never left

The real turnaround began when Nair moved to Vidarbha in 2023, seeking a fresh start. His performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, especially a gritty unbeaten 88 in the semi-final against Maharashtra, underlined his ability to finish games and lead from the front.

“Quite honestly, I’m very fortunate to be able to bat the way I am just now,” Nair said. “I believe I’ve been someone who can play all around the wicket and in all kinds of conditions. It’s been years of hard work and practice. The way my mindset has changed is to finish the game off for the team and make the most of every innings.”

After eight years in the shadows, Karun Nair is no longer chasing redemption. He’s earned it, and the India A games will only bolster his case.