Karun Nair’s Redemption: From Setback to National Comeback Contender

In December 2022, Karun Nair, once celebrated for his triple-century in Test cricket, made an emotional plea on X (formerly Twitter): “Dear cricket, give me one more chance.”

A year later, his fortunes have turned around dramatically. Nair’s exceptional performances in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy have reignited his cricketing career, placing him back on the radar for national selection.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy: Nair’s Record-Breaking Feats

Over six innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair has amassed scores of 112*, 44*, 163*, 111*, 112*, and 122*, accumulating over 600 runs without being dismissed.

His incredible consistency has set a new record for the most runs scored in List A cricket without losing his wicket. Nair also became only the second player to score five centuries in a single edition of the tournament, joining Tamil Nadu’s Narayan Jagadeesan.

Reflecting on his unbeaten 122 in Vidarbha’s quarterfinal victory against Rajasthan, Nair told The Indian Express, “For six-seven months, I didn’t play any cricket. I traveled three hours daily just for net sessions. It wasn’t easy, but I prepared myself so that when another opportunity came, I would give no excuse for being dropped.”

Resilience Amid Challenges

Nair’s journey back to relevance has been anything but easy. After scoring a memorable 303* against England in Chennai in 2016, he struggled to cement his place in the Indian team.

By 2022-23, even Karnataka, his home state team, had moved on from him.

The batter spent months practicing at Bengaluru’s Just Cricket Academy, focusing on regaining his form and confidence under the guidance of his coach, Vijay Madyalkar.

A turning point came when former Indian cricketer and current BCCI GM, Abey Kuruvilla, helped him secure a spot with Vidarbha. Grateful for the opportunity, Nair seized it with determination.

A Transitional Phase in Indian Cricket

With India entering a transitional phase in Test cricket, Nair’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time.

Seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are nearing the twilight of their Test careers, and selectors are keenly observing emerging talents.

Nair, with his ability to score big runs and his proven skill against spin, is being considered for a potential return to the longest format.

“Everyone wants to play for their country, and I’m no different,” Nair said. “I’d love to play Test matches again, but I know I must keep performing consistently.”

Redemption Through Domestic and County Cricket

Nair’s hunger for runs became evident during his County stint with Northamptonshire, where he scored 78, 150, and 21 in his debut matches, followed by a double century in 2024.

In the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, he tallied 690 runs, further solidifying his case for a national comeback.

During his Vijay Hazare campaign, Nair delivered one stunning performance after another. His 542 consecutive runs without dismissal remain a world record in List A cricket.

Selection Politics and Past Setbacks

Nair’s career trajectory also highlights the complexities of selection politics in Indian cricket. His exclusion from the Oval Test during the 2018 England tour raised eyebrows, as Hanuma Vihari was flown in to debut instead.

Similar debates have surrounded decisions involving other players, with critics like Robin Uthappa questioning the fairness of the selection process.

Uthappa pointed out instances where players like Nair were dropped despite strong performances. “If you’re not going to let him play, why promise him? Just be upfront,” Uthappa remarked.

A Story of Perseverance

Karun Nair’s journey is one of resilience and determination. From being sidelined to breaking records in domestic cricket, he has demonstrated that persistence pays off.

With India set to tour England later this year, a return to the Test squad on the back of stellar domestic performances would mark a fitting redemption for the triple-centurion.

As Nair himself put it, “When you sit out for six-seven months, you realize what you’re missing. For me, it was just batting.”

In this ongoing phase of Indian cricket, Karun Nair’s story serves as a reminder that second chances can indeed lead to remarkable comebacks.