Karun Nair's resilience and determination were on full display at The Oval as he scored a gritty half-century in the fifth Test against England. This was his first Test fifty in 3,149 days, marking a significant milestone in his career and signaling a potential revival after a prolonged period away from the international stage.
India found themselves in a precarious position at 83/3 when Nair walked in to bat. The team needed stability, and the 33-year-old right-hander provided just that, reaching his fifty in 89 balls. His innings was characterized by composure and resilience in challenging conditions. It was a quiet celebration, acknowledging the importance of the knock for both the match and his career. At stumps on Day 1, Nair remained unbeaten on 52, contributing to a 51-run partnership with Washington Sundar, taking India to 204/6.
Nair's journey back to the Indian team has been a testament to his perseverance. After being dropped from the national side in March 2017, he faced setbacks, including being left out of his state team, Karnataka. However, he moved to Vidarbha ahead of the 2023-24 season, a decision that proved pivotal in resurrecting his career.
In the 2024-25 domestic season, Nair was in exceptional form. He amassed 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches, averaging 54, and played a key role in Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy victory. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 779 runs in eight innings, becoming the tournament's highest run-scorer. His Vijay Hazare record included a record-breaking 542 runs without getting dismissed.
Nair's domestic performance earned him a spot in the Indian team for the Test series against England. He also secured a contract with Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025, marking a return to the franchise.
Despite the long gap between Test appearances, Nair has maintained a positive mindset. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent India again and emphasized his focus on contributing to the team's success. Nair's recent innings at The Oval is not just a personal achievement but also a valuable contribution to India's chances in the fifth Test. His experience and composure in difficult batting conditions have been lauded, and his return to form has provided a boost to the Indian batting lineup.
While it remains to be seen what the future holds for Karun Nair, his recent performances suggest that he is well and truly back in the mix. His gritty fifty at The Oval serves as a reminder of his talent and determination, and it will be interesting to see how he builds on this foundation in the coming months.
Karun Nair made his Test debut against England in 2016. In his Test career, he has scored 505 runs in 9 matches with an average of 42.08. His highest score is an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in December 2016. He has also played 2 ODIs for India, scoring 46 runs. In the IPL, Nair has scored 1694 runs in 84 matches.
