Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has strongly backed Karun Nair's inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming Test series against England, signaling a significant shift in approach towards rewarding consistent domestic performers. Speaking at a pre-departure press conference ahead of the team's tour of England, Gambhir emphasized that Nair would be given an extended run in the team, a stark contrast to the latter's previous experiences with the national side.
Nair's Test career has been a story of extraordinary highs and perplexing lows. After becoming only the second Indian batsman to score a triple century in Test cricket, with an unforgettable 303 not out against England in 2016, he was surprisingly dropped from the team just months later. A string of disappointing performances and being benched during the 2018 England tour further hampered his progress, leaving many to believe that his international career was over.
However, Nair remained resilient, grinding it out in the domestic circuit and consistently putting up impressive numbers. His hard work and dedication paid off with a prolific 2023 stint in county cricket, followed by a dominant 2024-25 domestic season where he amassed 863 Ranji Trophy runs. He further cemented his claim for a Test recall with a recent double century for India A against England Lions, showcasing his adaptability to English conditions.
Gambhir acknowledged Nair's impressive domestic form and highlighted the importance of rewarding players who consistently perform well at that level. "When someone has scored heaps of runs, we won't judge them by 1-2 tests. If someone has scored heaps of runs, we have to give him opportunities," Gambhir stated firmly. This statement reflects a clear change in philosophy, suggesting that players will now be assessed based on a more sustained period of performance rather than isolated failures.
Furthermore, Gambhir emphasized the value of Nair's experience, particularly his exposure to county cricket. "It's good to have the experience of Karun, who has played a bit of County cricket. He has scored runs there and hit a double hundred for India A. It's always good to have players who are in good form on these kinds of tours. His experience will definitely come in handy, and hopefully he can deliver," he added.
The head coach's comments have instilled confidence in Nair, who is determined to make the most of this second opportunity. Nair's inclusion in the squad is also viewed as a positive sign for domestic cricket, sending a strong message to aspiring cricketers that consistent performances at the domestic level will be recognized and rewarded. Gambhir himself reiterated this point, stating, "It's great for domestic cricket. It's great for the future of domestic cricket. All the youngsters who are playing domestic will understand its importance: 'if you keep doing well in domestic cricket, doors are never shut'."
With India set to play five Test matches against England, beginning at Headingley on June 20, Nair is likely to get a chance to prove his worth in the playing XI. And with Gautam Gambhir's backing, he will have a long enough run to showcase his talent and cement his place in the team.
