The Indian cricket team experienced a moment of anxiety during their practice session at Headingley, Leeds, ahead of the first Test against England. Seasoned batsman Karun Nair, making a comeback to the Test squad after eight long years, was struck on the ribs while facing a delivery from Prasidh Krishna in the nets.

Nair, who is expected to play his first Test match since 2017, looked uncomfortable after being hit. The incident occurred when Nair failed to make proper contact with a short ball from Krishna, resulting in the ball hitting him on the abdomen. Krishna immediately checked on Nair to see if he was alright. Despite the apparent discomfort, the experienced batsman composed himself and resumed batting, displaying resilience and determination. A little while later, he was seen smiling, showing the mark the ball left on his body to the physio and his teammates.

Later in the session, another incident caused a stir. While facing Ravindra Jadeja, Nair was clean bowled. Following this dismissal, Jasprit Bumrah was seen having a few words with the batsman, and subsequently, the team coach pulled Nair aside for a brief, private conversation. The specifics of the conversation remain unknown, but it is speculated that it revolved around Nair's shot selection or possibly a review of his overall form leading up to the crucial Test match.

Nair's return to the Test side is a story of perseverance and dedication. After being dropped from the team following a historic triple century against England in 2016, Nair has been grinding in domestic cricket, proving his mettle with consistent performances. His strong domestic season, including a stellar Ranji Trophy performance where he amassed 863 runs with an average of 53.93, featuring four centuries and two fifties, earned him a recall to the national side. He also scored a double century for India A against England Lions. KL Rahul, Nair's ex-Karnataka teammate, has publicly backed Nair.

While Nair's recent IPL form has been a subject of discussion, with critics suggesting he hasn't fully capitalized on his opportunities, his overall form and experience make him a valuable asset to the team. In the IPL 2025, Nair scored 154 runs from six games, with a top score of 89 against Mumbai Indians. In a recent interview, Nair said that he isn't concerned with his form and is happy to have played cameos of late.

Nair himself has spoken about the emotional challenges he faced during his time away from the national team, particularly in 2022. He described it as a "dark place" and emphasized how grateful he is for the opportunity to represent India again. He is likely to bat at the number 3 position, with Shubman Gill filling in for Virat Kohli at number 4, and Rishabh Pant at number 5.

The extent of Nair's injury is currently unknown, and the team management will be closely monitoring his progress.