Karun Nair received India call-up after 8 years following which he expressed how he felt after getting to know about his selection. He mentioned that this was the moment he was waiting for and the 33-year old batter was grateful to be back. Karun Nair is popularly known for his triple century in Test cricket and was present in International setup since 2017.
Karun Nair had an exceptional domestic season that forced selectors to pick him, in the Ranji Trophy Karun Nair amassed 863 runs in 9 matches this also included four centuries. In Vijay Hazare Trophy he scored 779 runs in just 8 innings which also included five centuries. Karun Nair’s fantastic performance was the reason Vidarbha won their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
Karun Nair roaring in domestic circuit
Karun Nair has been unstoppable in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 and has already scored five hundreds in the tournament this year. Karun Nair made his India debut in 2016, following consistent performances in the domestic circuit. The highlight of his short international career was the triple hundred in his third Test against England. In fact, it was his maiden international hundred.
The prolific batsman Karun Nair has emerged as the top run-scorer for his team, amassing an impressive 752 runs in seven matches at an astonishing average of 752.00, thanks to remaining unbeaten in six of those innings. Karun Nair’s remarkable tally includes five centuries and one half-century, with a highest score of 163 and a strike rate of 125.96.
Karun Nair stands on the brink of shattering an all-time record in the tournament. If he adds 79 more runs during the competition, he will surpass Tamil Nadu’s Narayan Jagadeesan record of 830 runs, which was achieved in eight matches at an average of 138.33, along with a strike rate exceeding 125 and five centuries, including a best score of 277, during the 2022/23 edition of the tournament.
His stellar performance in the trophy has drawn significant attention and admiration from the cricketing community, with many fans calling for his return to the Indian national team. Karun Nair last represented India in March 2017 and holds the distinction of being the only Test triple centurion for India after the legendary Virender Sehwag.
In six Tests since his debut in 2016, Karun Nair has accumulated 374 runs over seven innings, boasting an average of 62.33 and a top score of 303. He has also featured in two ODIs for India, scoring 46 runs with a best of 39. Following his impressive form Karun Nair has earned a rightful call to the England tour after seven year haitus. Former Indian No 3 Cheteshwar Pujara made a huge statement on Karun Nair batting at no 3 position in England test series.
Team India No 3 batter Cheteshwar Pujara makes huge statement on Karun Nair ahead of England test series 2025
Team India star Cheteshwar Pujara believes recalled batter Nair should not bat at No.3 in the upcoming tour of England. India will take on England in a five-Test series starting June 20.
The Indian selectors announced the 18-member squad yesterday (May 24), and Nair earned a recall to the Test setup after eight years. The 33-year-old scored a triple century in only his third Test in 2016 but played only three more red-ball games for India thereafter.
However, Nair scored a truckload of runs in domestic cricket last season, including 863 runs in nine matches at an average of almost 54 in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy to earn a recall. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Tests recently, there is uncertainty over India’s batting order for the upcoming England series.
Talking about the same in response to a query from Hindustan Times, Pujara said:
“I would still like to see if Shubman can carry on batting at number three and someone like Karun, who has batted really well in domestic cricket, gets an opportunity to bat at number four. It will be a bit more suitable for him because Karun is someone who hasn’t batted at number three in domestic cricket.”
He added:
“I’m not saying he can’t do it for the Test team, but the ideal position for Karun would be number four. We don’t know whether Shubman is going to carry on batting at number three, or is he going to drop down to number four.”
India’s newly-appointed Test captain, Shubman Gill, has been batting at No.3, with Kohli at 4 in their recent matches. Meanwhile, Nair predominantly batted in the middle-order for Vidarbha during their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy title run.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar pointed to Karun Nair’s experience as the key reason behind his inclusion in the squad for the England tour. Despite playing only six Tests for India, the 33-year-old has vast first-class experience of 114 games, including the Northamptonshire stint on English conditions in county cricket.
Talking about Nair’s inclusion during the squad announcement, Agarkar said (via RCB):
“Sometimes you just have to make good decisions. At the moment, Karun has scored heaps of runs in domestic, has played a bit of Test cricket, played a bit of county cricket. With Virat not there, clearly we’re lacking a bit of experience. We felt his experience could help,” he said.
Karun Nair has played all six Tests in his career at home, and the England series will be his first away series with India, should he be in the playing XI.