Karun Nair returns to India’s Test squad for the England tour starting June 20, making a remarkable comeback after spending eight years out of the national team.
The 33-year-old batter, who once scored an unbeaten 303 in only his third Test, recently opened up about the mental and emotional battle he endured during his long absence from international cricket.
Ignoring the Money: Nair’s Refusal to Give Up
In a surprising revelation, Nair shared that a well-known Indian cricketer once suggested he retire and focus on earning money through T20 leagues. “I still remember a prominent Indian cricketer calling me and saying you need to retire because the money in these leagues would make me secure. 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 said in an interview.
Despite the tempting advice, Nair chose to stick with his dream of playing for India again. “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,” he added. “Deep down, I knew I was good enough.”
From County Cricket to National Comeback
After going nearly 14 months without playing competitive cricket, Nair found an opportunity with Northamptonshire in English county cricket.
“It was next to nothing, but I didn’t care because that was the opportunity I was desperate for,” he recalled. “I went straight to Birmingham, had one net session and the day after, scored 78 at Edgbaston.” Just a week later, he smashed 150 against Surrey at The Oval.
“With the happiness involved, it’s my most satisfying innings,” he added, sharing how Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly congratulated him.
Nair’s recent domestic success has been phenomenal. He switched from Karnataka to Vidarbha, scoring 690 runs in 10 games, and followed it with 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches, including a century in the final that helped Vidarbha win the title.
He also made waves in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 779 runs in eight innings, including five centuries, leading to his Rs 50 lakh signing by Delhi Capitals in the 2025 IPL auction.
“I manifested playing for India,” Nair said. “There was a domestic game where they played the national anthem, and I pictured myself in Indian whites.” Now, that vision has come true.