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Karun Nair’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Once hailed as India’s next big Test sensation after becoming only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Tests, Nair’s career has since spiraled in an unexpected direction.
The 303* against England in 2016 promised a bright future, but consistency deserted him soon after. A string of low scores led to his exclusion from the Test squad, leaving fans longing for his comeback.
The Long-Awaited Return
After eight long years, Nair clawed his way back into the Indian Test setup, thanks to a record-breaking Ranji Trophy season. His selection seemed justified when he struck a sublime double century in an India A tour game ahead of the England series. Fans and pundits alike hoped for a redemption arc.
However, reality proved harsher. In his three Test appearances since the comeback, Nair managed only 131 runs in six innings, averaging 21.83 without even a single fifty. The team’s expectations for a statement innings went unmet, and patience finally wore thin.
Dropped Again as Sudharsan Returns
India’s must-win fourth Test at Manchester saw Nair dropped from the playing XI. Young left-hander Sai Sudharsan, who was earlier benched after modest scores in Leeds, made his way back into the lineup.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reflected on Nair’s now-viral “give me one more chance” tweet from December 2022. “Cricket did give him another chance. Sadly, he couldn’t grab it.
But good to see Sai Sudharsan back; I felt he should’ve played the second Test too,” Manjrekar told JioStar.
What’s Next for Nair?
As Nair trends on X, discussions have ignited about his future with the Indian Test team. Will the selectors retain him for India’s next Test series at home against West Indies in October 2025? Or was this his final shot at redemption?
For now, Nair’s story remains one of unfulfilled promise and bittersweet comebacks, a reminder of how quickly cricket’s fortunes can change.
