With Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket, the selector wanted an experienced middle-order batsman for the England testing series. Karun Nair fully fit the bill.
Two and a half years after your tweet: Dear cricket, give me one more chanceKarun Nair has finally got a chance. As the BCCI Selection Committee announced the India team for the England test series, Nair returned to the test side after eight years. Nair last played for India against Australia on March 28, 2017. He lost his place with preference to Ajinkya Rahane and then Nair lost his form.
The tweet he posted was also dropped from the Ranji Trophy squad in Karnataka. While some asked him to be strong, some asked him to focus on cricket, Nair did both. Due to no place in the Karnataka squad, he switched a switch in Vidarbha in 2023.
Success with Vidarbha
He finally achieved his lost success. In his first season in Vidarbha, Nair returned to form. After a tenure of the county, where he scored 249 runs in three innings, including a century, Nair scored 218 runs in 7 innings of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 230 runs in 7 innings of Vijay Hazare Trophy and 690 runs in Ranji Trophy in 17 innings.
Still not in his best, Nair returned to England for another county term in 2024 with Northamptonshire. He played 11 innings, scored 487 runs, on an average 48.70 runs, including a double century and three fifties. It was a confident booster for Karun Nair. He continued to show the form throughout the year. And finally, he has earned a recall for the IND vs.NG test series, especially Virat Kohli called it Quits.
“This is appropriate on someone, it is unfair to someone else. At the moment, he (Karun Nair) has scored a pile of runs. He has played a bit of county cricket. Not with Virat, we don’t have a little experience. We felt that we felt that his experience can help,” BCCI Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Aggarkar said on the selection of Nair.
| Tournament | Inn | Run | average | Best | 50 | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Championship (FC) | 11 | 487 | 48.7 | 202 | 3 | 1 |
| Maharaja Trophy T20 | 12 | 560 | 56 | 124 | 5 | 1 |
| Mustak Ali Trophy T20 | 5 | 255 | 42.5 | 77 | 3 | 0 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy (50 Ov) | 8 | 779 | 389.5 | 163 | 1 | 5 |
| Ranji Trophy (FC) | 16 | 863 | 53.94 | 135 | 2 | 4 |
Will Karun Nair play IND vs ENG 1st Test?
While Karun Nair has earned a recall, it does not guarantee him a place in playing XI of India. Certainly, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket has vacated two places. But there are other people who are ahead on Peking Order. All this will come down what Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill decided.
If KL Rahul continues as a opener, India can fill two places in the middle order. But if the team management decided that KL Rahul should bat at number 5 at number 5 to prefer Abimiyu Ishwaran and Sai Reforms, Nair would have to wait for his opportunities.
Ezavaran is waiting for his opportunity with India’s Test squad and with Rohit Sharma’s retirement, the Bengal opener may finally get that opportunity. This will force KL Rahul to bat at No 3 or 4 with Shubman Gill. It can still open a 5 slot to Karun Nair.
However, it will depend on how Nair performs in India in the A versus England Lions series. If Nair does good, he will definitely be raised in front of improvement. But if he does not do well, he will have to wait for his opportunity.
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