Karun Nair's recent recall to the Indian Test squad has been a major talking point in the cricketing world, marking a return after an eight-year absence. Following the announcement, KL Rahul, a close friend and teammate of Nair, shared an emotional message highlighting the struggles and perseverance that underpinned Nair's journey back to the national side.
Nair's journey is a testament to resilience. After being dropped from the Test squad in 2017, despite scoring a triple century against England in Chennai in 2016, he continued to grind in domestic cricket. The selectors preferred Hanuma Vihari. Last season, his prolific performances in the Ranji Trophy, where he amassed 863 runs in 9 matches at an average of 53.93, including four centuries and two half-centuries, and in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 779 runs in eight innings, paved the way for his comeback. He reinforced his case with a double century for India A against England Lions in an unofficial Test match in late May.
KL Rahul, in a video released by the BCCI, spoke candidly about Nair's dedication. Rahul recalled the "hard" and "lonely" months Nair spent in the UK playing county cricket, emphasizing the mental fortitude required to overcome such challenges and eventually earn a spot back in the Indian team. Rahul noted it was inspiring and expressed his hope that Nair's experience and learnings from county cricket would serve him well in the upcoming Test matches. Rahul has known Nair for a long time, both having played together for Karnataka.
Nair himself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity. In an interview with the BCCI, he said he felt "very special, very grateful and very fortunate" to be back in the national team. He is eager to seize the opportunity with both hands and contribute to the team's success in the five-match Test series against England. The series begins on June 20 in Leeds. When asked about his emotions ahead of potentially playing his first Test in eight years, Nair admitted that he wasn't sure how he would feel, stating he would have to experience it to express it.
Nair's inclusion in the squad comes at a time when the Indian Test team is undergoing a transition. With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin having recently bid farewell to the format, there is an opportunity for players like Nair to step up and fill the void. Nair's experience and proven ability to score big runs could be invaluable as India looks to build a new core for its Test team. Some experts suggest Nair could potentially fill the No. 4 spot left vacant by Virat Kohli's retirement.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also acknowledged Nair's comeback with a video highlighting Rahul’s message. The video's caption, "A comeback story with Karun Nair," underscored the significance of his return and the inspiring nature of his journey.
While it remains to be seen whether Nair will be included in the playing XI for the first Test, his comeback story is already a victory in itself. It's a story of perseverance, hard work, and the unwavering belief in one's abilities, even in the face of adversity. His return serves as an inspiration to all cricketers who have faced setbacks, demonstrating that with dedication and determination, it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve one's goals.
