Karun Nair's recent selection for the Indian Test squad touring England is a story of resilience and unwavering self-belief. After being out of the national team for eight long years, Nair has revealed the challenges he faced and the motivation that kept him going. In a recent interview, Nair shared that he was even advised by a prominent Indian cricketer to retire from international cricket and focus on earning money through T20 leagues. This advice came during a period when Nair was struggling to find his place in the national team, and his performance in domestic cricket had also dipped.

Nair revealed the conversation he had with the senior cricketer around two years ago, recalling that they suggested he retire for financial security in the T20 leagues. However, Nair was determined not to give up on playing for India again. He acknowledged that it would have been easy to take the advice and pursue a career in franchise cricket, but he knew that he would regret it if he didn't give himself another shot at playing for India. He was quoted saying, "I was never going to give up on playing for India again...It's crazy, but deep down, I knew I was good enough."

Instead of giving in to the discouraging advice, Nair chose the tougher path of grinding it out in domestic cricket. He switched his team to Vidarbha before the next season, seeking a fresh start and new opportunities. This decision proved to be fruitful, as he went on to have a successful Ranji Trophy season, even winning the title in 2024-25. Furthermore, he also had a strong county stint. Nair bolstered his case for a return by scoring a double-century for India A against the England Lions in the first unofficial Test. In 10 County Championship matches over two seasons for Northamptonshire, he scored 736 runs at an average of 56.61, including a double century against Glamorgan. In the title-winning Ranji Trophy season for Vidarbha in 2024-25, he also scored 863 runs at an average of 53.93.

Nair's comeback story is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. He faced setbacks and doubts, but he never lost sight of his dream of playing for India again. His consistent performances in domestic cricket and his strong county stint eventually forced the selectors to take notice. His return to the Indian dressing room was warmly welcomed, with coach Gautam Gambhir praising his resilience and "never-say-die attitude."

Now, on the brink of a remarkable comeback after eight years, Nair is looking forward to making the most of his opportunity. If given a chance, he is likely to bat at number 3 or 4 in the Test series against England, which begins on June 20. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and anyone facing challenges in their pursuit of a dream. It proves that with hard work, determination, and self-belief, anything is possible.