Karun Nair's Test career, once glittering with the promise of a record-breaking triple century, appears to be facing an uncertain future after recent developments with the India A squad. While a May 2025 recall to the India A squad for the tour of England initially sparked hopes of a potential comeback, his subsequent performances and exclusion from the squad to face Australia A suggest a different reality.

Nair, now 34 years old, made a remarkable Test debut in 2016 against England, becoming only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket. He reached this milestone in only his third Test innings, making him the fastest to convert his maiden century into a triple hundred. Despite this historic feat, he was surprisingly dropped from the team soon after.

His selection for the India A squad in May 2025 was seen as a reward for his prolific domestic form. In the 2024-25 season, representing Vidarbha, he amassed significant runs in both the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy. He scored 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including five centuries, and 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy, playing a crucial role in Vidarbha's title win.

However, his performance in the recent Test series against England seems to have fallen short of expectations. Nair managed to score only 131 runs in three Tests, averaging 21.83, with a highest score of 40. While he showed glimpses of his talent, he couldn't convert his starts into substantial scores.

Adding to the uncertainty surrounding his Test future is his absence from the India A squad that will face Australia A. Several players who were part of the England tour squad, including Nair, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, are not included in the team to face Australia A. While an injury sustained at The Oval is cited as a reason for Nair's exclusion, this development raises further questions about his chances of making a comeback to the senior Test side.

The current Indian team is undergoing a transition phase following the retirements of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. This presents opportunities for new talent to emerge and stake their claim in the Test side. However, with strong performances from other players and the emergence of promising youngsters, the competition for a place in the Test team is fierce.

While a return to the Karnataka team for the next domestic season might seem like a personal decision, the timing of this move during a crucial phase of his Test comeback raises questions. After being dropped from the Karnataka state side in 2022, the star batter now returns to Karnataka amidst England struggles.

Ultimately, whether Karun Nair gets another opportunity to represent India in Test cricket remains to be seen. His domestic performances demonstrate his talent and determination, but he needs to translate that success into consistent performances at the international level.