Karun Nair Reflects on His Darkest Phase in 2022 Amid Remarkable Comeback to Test Cricket

Karun Nair’s recent dominance in domestic cricket has earned him a long-awaited return to the Indian Test side after an eight-year absence.

His comeback, however, follows what the 33-year-old describes as the most difficult period in his cricketing career, a phase he calls “quite a dark place.”

“In terms of incidents, I would say, it was quite a dark place at the end of 2022. Very emotional phase for me. I think the toughest time for me. Even tougher than 2018, or whatever, whenever that was,” Nair revealed during a conversation with R Ashwin on the latter’s YouTube channel.

From Triple Century Glory to Unanswered Questions

Nair, who remains India’s only triple centurion in Test cricket apart from Virender Sehwag, is now on the verge of a significant return. He could feature in India’s playing XI for the first Test against England starting Friday in Leeds.

Despite regaining composure and form, Nair admitted he wouldn’t want to relive the period following his unbeaten 303 against England in 2016, a feat that astonishingly didn’t secure him a long-term spot in the team.

“No. I don’t want to be where I was a couple of years ago, quite honestly,” Nair said. “I think at the moment, at least I am very grateful. Like you said, I have gotten past that complaining stage. Very grateful to be in the situation that I am and I just treat every day as something that’s given to me, and I am living my life and doing what I love.

“I am very grateful to everyone that has been part of my journey in the last 2-3 years at least. I have understood to value things. I have understood to value each moment and just treat every single day as a new day.”

Perplexing Exclusion

Nair was unable to comprehend his sudden exclusion from the national team. “Honestly, I couldn’t understand what was happening. Because after the 300 in Chennai, after the Australia series, I think the next series was in Sri Lanka in 2017.

“I wasn’t part of that squad either. And from then on, I couldn’t understand what was happening. Then I had to go back in domestic cricket.”

He reflected on a series against Australia where he believed strong performances could have changed the course of his career. “I had no clue what was happening. All I knew was my name wasn’t there. I couldn’t understand how it wasn’t there.

“But if I look back and think that there is one side of me saying that ‘yes, I didn’t get too many opportunities’. But the other way I would also think is the four innings that I played against Australia, and I got a couple of starts.

“If I had just converted those starts into bigger scores, maybe I wouldn’t be in this position or had to have gone through that.”

Mental Struggles and Domestic Resurgence

Asked about how he managed during those difficult times, Nair said, “Just figuring out how I should go about things and what I should be doing.

“Obviously, I was a lot younger at that time and couldn’t probably control what was running in my head like I am able to do today. So, basically, just a confused mind and was trying so hard to get back that I think I just kept getting worse.

“But I had a great season that year in domestic cricket and I was able to come back like I said in the 2018 season. And then again, went back there. Didn’t have too many opportunities.”

Support from Karnataka Teammates

During his time away from the national side, Nair credited the Karnataka team for their constant support. “I think there has always been a great bond between the players in Karnataka. Because we all played together from a very young age. And all of us made the grade at the same time, if I can say that.

“So, there was always support. There was never anyone, you know, lacking that support. They have always said good things. They always knew the player that I was. So, I always had the trust from the players in the Karnataka team at least.

“So, to go back there, it again felt like a family. And obviously, it didn’t have a great season. But that happens to anyone, I would think. And yeah, it’s just everyone felt or everyone supported me.

“Like I said, it’s like a family. And everyone was caring. And they never put any undue pressure on me in terms of, ‘oh, I wasn’t scoring’ or no one really came up to me,” Nair said.

New Chapter with Vidarbha and IPL Return

In 2023–24, Nair moved from Karnataka to Vidarbha and found renewed success. In his debut season, he scored 690 runs in 10 games, followed by 863 runs in nine matches in 2024–25 at an average of 54, helping Vidarbha win their third Ranji Trophy title.

His domestic success earned him a return to the Indian Premier League after a three-year absence. His viral social media plea, “Cricket, please give me another chance,” reflected his passion and resilience.

Before being recalled to the national squad, he was also part of the India A team for the series against the England Lions, further underlining his readiness for the big stage once more.