Karun Nair’s Triumphant Return: 8 Years Later, the Triple Centurian Bats for India Again
Karun Nair’s Long Road Back to India’s Test Team
After nearly 3,000 days and a long wait, Karun Nair is making a remarkable comeback to the Indian Test squad. The talented batsman, who famously scored a triple century in 2017, will be donning the India whites once again for the upcoming five-match Test series against England in June to August 2025.
A Quiet Persistence
Nair’s journey back has been marked by quiet determination. Despite being out of the Test team since 2017, he never gave up on his dream. He continued to perform consistently in domestic cricket, scoring heavily in both the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Throughout this period, his message remained the same: ‘Dear cricket, give me one more chance.'”
A Second Life on the Pitch
His childhood coach, B. Shivanand, spoke about Nair’s unwavering belief and resilience. “He always remained calm. Never spoke about anything. ‘Sir, cricket will give me another chance for sure’ — that’s all he used to say whenever I looked at him,” Shivanand recalled. “Seeing him so silent, I never asked him about his snub from the Test team. This guy is a god-gifted player. There are many, and he is one of them. May God bless him always. God is there, and He has given him a second life.”
From Maiden Test to Triple Century and Back
Nair’s Test debut in 2016 against England was a mixed bag, with just four runs in his first innings. However, he quickly silenced any doubts in his next match, smashing a stunning unbeaten 303 against England, joining Virender Sehwag in the exclusive club of Indian triple-century scorers. Sehwag himself publicly praised Nair, welcoming him to the ‘300 club’
Triumph Over Adversity
Shivanand believes Nair’s triple century might have ironically contributed to his prolonged absence from the Test team. “I don’t know what the thinking was behind his ouster. I believe it was the triple ton. Success often comes at a cost. After Sehwag, Nair was the one who scored a triple century in Tests, and instead of giving a talent like him a long rope, they snubbed him,” he said. But Nair’s resilience is inspiring. “Any other cricketer might have given up or even retired, but this guy was truly hungry for a comeback,” Shivanand added.
A Hungry Comeback
Now, at 33, Nair is back, ready to prove himself once again on the biggest stage. He’s eager to silence critics and demonstrate his unwavering commitment to the game. “He always said, ‘I have to score runs in domestic cricket and the IPL,’ and he was confident he would be rewarded for his hard work,” Shivanand said. “The wait was too long, and I’m sure, somewhere deep inside, Karun must be crying silently. But this time, you’ll see a different Karun. He’s not outwardly aggressive, but if you really want to see his aggression, just watch him now — with the bat. I want him to answer all the questions with a century this time, and he will. Watch out for him. That’s all I want to say. He is hungry — very hungry,”
The Future Ahead
Nair’s return to the Test squad is a testament to his talent, hard work, and unwavering belief in himself. The English pitches will be a tough challenge, but Nair’s hunger to succeed will undoubtedly make him a force to be reckoned with.
