After seven long years since the Indian test team, Karun Nair finally returned to the national fold. The 32-year-old dough was named in the Indian 18-Mane team for the upcoming test series of five matches against England from June 20, which signals both personal redemption and wider shift in the Indian cricket red piece.
Nair’s return to the test group It is a direct consequence of a designated home recovery. After several difficult years with Karnataka, where opportunities were limited, before the season 2023–24 boldly moved to Vidarbha. This switch proved to be essential. In his debut season with Vidar Skip scored 690 runs in 10 matches. This was followed by an even stronger campaign of Ranji Trophy 2024–25, where he accumulated 863 runs in nine matches on average 54. His century in the finals of Ranji against Kerala helped Vidarbh to raise their third title Ranji Trophy.
Team Indian announcement: Veliky
His purple spot was not limited to the Indian home circuit. Nair also impressed the district championship 2024 and scored 487 runs in seven games on average 48.70, including the double century (202*). His efforts have attracted attention not only through performances, but also through perseverance-the best example of now a viral contribution on the social media: “cricket, please give me another chance.” Indian selectors seem to listen to.
One of the only two Indians who have ever acquired a triple century in the test cricket brings a rare pedigree to return to the Indian middle order.
After years in the wilderness, they will again join the national settings with a renewed purpose and form.
Below is the timeline that follows its way back to the test team.
Test Karun Nair Comeback: Timeline
2017
- The last performance for India in the test match came against Australia in Dharamsale in March.
- He finished his early test stint with 374 runs in six matches on average 67.
- Most remarkably he remembered his undefeated 303 against England in Chennai in 2016.
2018–2022
- He continued his home cricket for Karnataka, but fought consistency.
- It was not possible to break into the Indian group despite sporadic good performances in the trophy of Ranja.
2023
- They took a bold step by moving from Karnatak to Vidarbha for the home season.
- He scored 690 runs in 10 games and signaled the beginning of his return trail.
2024
- He returned to IPL after a three -year gap and regained visibility on the national scene.
- He played at the English Regional Championship and collected 487 runs in seven matches on average 48.70, including the double century (202*).
- He published a viral report on the social media: “Cricket, please give me another chance,” he captures the heart of fans and selectors.
2024-25 home season
- She appeared as the spine of Vidarbh’s branding unit.
- He scored 863 runs in nine games on average 54.
- He played a key role in the leadership of Vidarbha to their third title Ranji Trophy.
- In the final of the Ranji Trophy, he recorded a century defining a match against Kerala.
At the beginning of 2025
- Selected for the Indian group and against England Lions, where he further demonstrated his authorization of the red ball.
- He caught the competition of players such as Sarfaraz Khan, who are still waiting for their overseas test debut.
May 2025
- Officially named in the Indian test team for England Tour and limited remarkable comeback.
- Ready to return to the longest format in England, the same opponent against which he created an iconic triple century.
India Squad for England Test Series
Indian Group for England Tour: SHUBMAN GILL (Captain), Rishabh Pant (WK) (Vice-Capital), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwan, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhuvv Jarlil (WK), Washington, Shadul Thakur, Jasprita, Jasprita, Jasprita ,, Jasprita, Jasprita ,, Jasrita, Shardul Thakur. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
From the 287th Indian, who earned a test cap-presented by anyone other than Sunil Gavascar-to fight with years of exclusion, the return of Karun Nair is a testimony of resistance and self-confidence. When India embarks on a new chapter in a test cricket, Nair’s experience may prove to be essential in leading the young and dynamic aspects of English soil.
Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
May 24, 2025
