In a touching tribute to perseverance and resilience, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video highlighting Karun Nair’s comeback to the national side, featuring a heartfelt message from teammate KL Rahul.
The video, captioned “A comeback story with Karun Nair. P.S. – A special message from KL Rahul,” reflects not just Nair’s return, but the emotional weight behind it.
Rahul, Nair’s longtime Karnataka teammate, expressed pride in his return after a long absence from international cricket. “I’ve known him for a very long time. The months he spent in the UK, how hard and lonely it was… for him to come back to the Indian team is something very special for him, his family, and for friends like us who’ve seen his journey,” Rahul said. He added that Nair’s county cricket experience would be valuable in the upcoming Test series against England.
A Journey of Grit
Nair, who made headlines in 2016 by scoring a stunning 303* in just his third Test, had since faded from national contention. But he resurged with a stellar Ranji Trophy season, followed by a double century for India A earlier this month, and contributions of 40 and 15 in subsequent games.
In a statement echoing quiet determination, Nair said, “Feels really special. Very grateful and very fortunate to get this opportunity again. I’m really looking forward to grabbing it with both hands.”
He also reflected on the emotional moment of returning: “I think I’ll have to experience that feeling myself… there’ll be a lot of emotions I can’t express right now.”
“Dear Cricket, Give Me One More Chance”
Nair’s inclusion marks the response to a plea he made in 2022, when he posted, “Dear cricket, give me one more chance.” The video and selection have since gone viral, with fans thanking BCCI for acting on his appeal and recognizing his domestic grit.
Hints from Practice: Is Nair in the XI?
India’s final training session before the intra-squad match in Beckenham has added fuel to speculation, with Nair spotted at first slip—a key position indicating his likely inclusion. He lined up alongside KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Rishabh Pant kept wickets.
While his batting slot remains uncertain, some experts believe Nair could step into the No. 4 spot, vacated by Virat Kohli, who recently retired from Test cricket.
