Karun Nair's career trajectory is one of the most perplexing in recent Indian cricket history. After a stunning triple century against England in Chennai in December 2016, the cricketing world expected Nair to cement his place in the Indian middle order. Instead, he found himself out of the team, and despite consistent performances in domestic cricket, a recall remained elusive for years.

Nair's exclusion is not just a blip in his career, but a question mark over the selection policies. He became only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Tests, an achievement that usually guarantees a long rope. However, after scoring only 54 runs in his next four innings, including a golden duck, he was dropped. Nair has admitted to not being among the runs immediately following the triple hundred, but felt he deserved a longer run to prove himself. He stated that he got starts in two of those games, scoring 25 and around 30, and that he should have converted those starts and sealed his place. However, he also pointed out that he only played four innings after the triple hundred, and could have been given more opportunities.

The selection process for the Indian cricket team involves several key stakeholders, including the National Selection Committee (NSC), the Chief National Selector, and the team captain. Player performance in domestic and international matches, fitness, form, and the balance of the team are all considered. The head coach also provides valuable insights into player fitness, form and combinations. Despite these structures, Nair's case highlights potential inconsistencies or biases.

In the years following his exclusion, Nair continued to perform in domestic cricket, switching from Karnataka to Vidarbha ahead of the 2023-24 season. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign, he amassed 863 runs in nine matches at an average of 54, playing a pivotal role in Vidarbha's title win. He also impressed in the 2024 County Championship, scoring 487 runs in seven games at an average of 48.70, including a double century.

Nair's perseverance finally paid off when he was named in India's squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, marking a remarkable comeback after seven years. Gautam Gambhir, Team India head coach, praised Nair's resilience and hailed his return to the national team as inspirational. Nair himself expressed gratitude for the recall, stating that he was eagerly waiting for the call and that he has been batting well in the last 12-16 months.

Nair's story is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has overcome numerous obstacles, including being dropped from his state team, and has continued to work hard on his game. His comeback serves as an inspiration to other cricketers who may be facing similar challenges. While the reasons for his initial snub may remain unclear, Nair now has another opportunity to prove his worth on the international stage. It remains to be seen whether he can seize this second chance and finally fulfill the potential he showed years ago in Chennai.