Karun Nair's journey back to the Indian Test squad after an eight-year absence is a testament to resilience and self-belief. The Karnataka cricketer has revealed a startling piece of advice he received a couple of years ago: a prominent Indian cricketer suggested he retire from international cricket and focus on the lucrative opportunities offered by T20 leagues.

Nair, now 33, disclosed this conversation in an interview with Mail Sport. According to Nair, the cricketer advised him to secure his future by playing in various T20 leagues, implying that the financial rewards would be more beneficial than pursuing a career with the Indian national team. "I still remember a prominent Indian cricketer calling me and saying I should retire because the money in these leagues would make me secure," Nair stated.

Despite the tempting offer of financial stability, Nair chose to defy the advice. He knew that giving up on his dream of representing India again would leave him with lasting regrets. "It would have been easy to do, but I knew that regardless of the money, I would be kicking myself for giving up that easily," he explained. "I was never going to give up on playing for India again. That was just over two years ago, and look where we are now. It's crazy, but deep down, I knew I was good enough."

Nair's comeback story is one of perseverance. After being dropped from the Indian team in 2017, following the England tour in 2018 where he remained on the bench, he faced a dip in form and even lost his place in his state team in 2022. However, he switched to Vidarbha before the next season, a move that proved to be a turning point.

In the 2024-25 season, Nair enjoyed a dream run, scoring 863 runs at an average of 53.93 in nine Ranji Trophy matches. His contributions were crucial in Vidarbha's title-winning campaign. He also shone in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing 779 runs at an astonishing average of 389.50, including five centuries and a half-century.

His consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him a spot in India's squad for the upcoming Test series against England. Ahead of the series, he also reinforced his case with a double century for India A against the England Lions in an unofficial Test in Canterbury. This earned praise from the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, highlighting Nair's "never-say-die attitude" and "never-give-up mindset" as inspiring.

Nair's journey is not just about personal triumph; it's an inspiration to many out-of-favor players who aspire to make a national comeback. From being dropped from his state team to earning an India call-up, his story underscores the importance of resilience and self-belief.

Now, after nearly 3000 days since his last Test appearance, Nair is focused on making the most of his second opportunity. "I'm not thinking long term. I just want to savor each match and make the most of every opportunity. Earlier, I didn't. This time, I will," he said. As he prepares to potentially bat at number 3 or 4 in the upcoming Test against England, Nair's comeback is a reminder that with dedication and perseverance, dreams can indeed come true.