Karun Nair's resilient half-century at The Oval in the fifth and final Test against England has not only steadied India's innings but also potentially revitalized his Test career. After being selected for the Indian XI after missing the fourth Test, Nair's composed 52 not out on a challenging Oval surface helped India reach 204/6 on the rain-affected first day.

Nair's return to Test cricket after eight years has been a mixed bag. While he showed promise with several starts, he struggled to convert them into substantial scores. Across three Tests, he accumulated 131 runs at an average of just under 22. There were concerns about his ability to handle high-quality pace and seam movement. As a result, there were speculations that he might be dropped for the fourth Test.

However, his crucial knock at The Oval might have changed the narrative. Former England skipper and Delhi Capitals batting coach Kevin Pietersen revealed that Nair had been diligently preparing for the England series during the IPL 2025. According to Pietersen, Nair dedicated "many hours" to discussing batting strategies in English conditions with him.

The association between Nair and Pietersen began when Delhi Capitals acquired Nair ahead of the 2025 IPL season, and Pietersen joined as the franchise's batting coach. Pietersen has lauded both Nair and KL Rahul for their dedication to preparing for the series against England. He appreciated their efforts to get ready for the England tour.

Nair's innings at The Oval showcased the temperament and technique he honed during those discussions. He demonstrated a calm and collected approach, weathering the seaming conditions and a mid-innings collapse. His innings was crucial in preventing a complete collapse of the Indian batting lineup.

Despite his recent struggles, Nair's century in the first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions in Canterbury demonstrated his potential. His innings made a strong case for his inclusion in the playing XI for the first Test against England. He formed a significant partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, further highlighting his value to the team.

While India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had previously expressed the team's desire for more runs from the No. 3 batter, Nair's performance at The Oval might have earned him more time. His ability to soak in pressure and score a fifty-plus score could be invaluable as the series progresses.

England had gained the upper hand on the first day of the final Test, with the tourists battling to 204-6. England will be happy to have dismissed KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill cheaply. Gus Atkinson's performance and Gill's run-out further boosted England's position.