Introduction: In a story of grit, perseverance, and unyielding passion, Karun Nair, the second Indian batter to score a Test triple century, is set to don the iconic India whites once again. After a staggering wait of nearly 3000 days—or 8 years and 2 months—since his last Test appearance in 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala, Nair has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England in 2025. This is not just a comeback; it’s a heartfelt plea answered, as Nair silently whispered to the game he loves, ‘Dear cricket, give me a chance.’
The Long Wait and Domestic Domination: Nair’s journey back to the Test arena is nothing short of inspirational. Excluded from the national setup after just six Tests, despite a monumental unbeaten 303 against England in 2016, he refused to let disappointment define him. Returning to domestic cricket, Nair knocked incessantly on the selectors’ doors with breathtaking performances. In the 2024–25 season alone, he amassed 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches, including four centuries, at an average of over 60. His form continued in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he plundered 779 runs in eight innings with five centuries. These numbers weren’t just stats; they were a desperate cry for recognition.
A Historic Feat and Unfair Exile: Nair’s Test debut in 2016 against England was a quiet affair with just 4 runs, but his second outing in Chennai rewrote history. Scoring an unbeaten 303 off 381 balls, studded with 32 fours and 4 sixes, he joined Virender Sehwag as the only Indian batters to achieve the elusive Test triple century. Sehwag himself welcomed Nair to the elite club with a heartfelt tweet: ‘Yay! Welcome to the 300 club @karun126. It was very lonely here for the last 12 years 8 months. Wish you the very best, Karun. Maza aa gaya!’ Yet, ironically, this pinnacle of success seemed to mark the beginning of Nair’s exile. As his childhood coach B. Shivanand poignantly noted in an exclusive interview with Times of India, ‘I believe it was the triple ton. Success often comes at a cost. Instead of giving a talent like him a long rope, they snubbed him. Talented players shouldn’t be treated like tissue paper.’
A Coach’s Faith and a Player’s Resolve: Shivanand, who has mentored Nair since his early days, recalls the batter’s quiet determination during these trying years. ‘He always remained calm. Never spoke much. All he said was, “Sir, cricket will give me another chance for sure.” I never asked about his snub; seeing him silent broke my heart. But this guy is a God-gifted player. I’m confident he’ll do even better this time,’ Shivanand shared. At 33, Nair returns to face England again—this time in their backyard—carrying not just his bat but the weight of years of unspoken struggles and an insatiable hunger to prove his worth.
The Road Ahead in England: The BCCI announced Nair’s inclusion in the squad for the five-match Test series against England, scheduled from June to August 2025. The iconic venues of Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord’s (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London) will witness Nair’s second coming. This series isn’t just a professional milestone; it’s deeply personal. As Shivanand passionately declared, ‘He’s not outwardly aggressive, but if you want to see his aggression, watch him with the bat. I want him to answer all questions with a century. He is hungry—very hungry.‘ Nair, who received his Test cap (No. 287) from legend Sunil Gavaskar in 2016, now has a chance to rewrite his story on foreign soil.
Conclusion: Karun Nair’s return to Test cricket after nearly a decade is more than a sporting headline; it’s a testament to the power of perseverance and belief in oneself. The man who once scaled the dizzying heights of a triple century now stands at the threshold of redemption. As he prepares to face England in 2025, the cricketing world watches with bated breath. Will this be the rebirth of a forgotten hero? Only time—and Nair’s trusted willow—will tell. For now, cricket has finally answered his quiet plea: ‘Here’s your chance, Karun. Make it count.’