KKN Gurugram Desk | In one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Indian cricket, Karun Nair has been named in the playing XI for India’s first Test match against England, marking his return to international cricket after a staggering 8-year gap. The right-handed batter’s consistent form in domestic cricket and an impressive stint in IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals earned him a well-deserved place in India’s red-ball squad.
But Nair’s return isn’t just emotional—it’s historic.
Karun Nair last played for India in 2017. His selection in the playing XI for the first Test against England in 2025 means he missed a total of 402 international matches in this period—a world record for the most matches missed by an international cricketer before making a comeback.
The previous record was held by West Indies’ Rayad Emrit, who had missed 396 matches between 2007 and 2018. Nair has now officially surpassed this unique and rarely-achieved milestone.
Nair’s path back to the national team has been nothing short of inspiring. The 33-year-old batter piled up runs in domestic cricket for Karnataka during the 2024–25 Ranji season, becoming one of the top scorers in the tournament. His performance caught the attention of selectors once again, but it was his resurgence in IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals that sealed the deal.
Displaying exceptional stroke play and maturity, Nair played a key role in Delhi’s top-order and reminded fans of the class that once saw him score a Test triple century.
Karun Nair made headlines in 2016 when he scored an unbeaten 303 runs against England, becoming only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to notch up a triple century in Test cricket. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, he was dropped from the team in the very next match and never regained a consistent spot.
Over the years, fans and cricket analysts have debated the lack of opportunities given to a player who achieved something so rare early in his Test career.
In total, Nair has played:
6 Test matches, scoring 374 runs, including 1 triple century
2 One-Day Internationals, scoring 46 runs
India’s decision to bat first in the opening Test against England has paid off so far. By the end of Day 1, the team had posted 359 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, with top-order batters showcasing stellar form.
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a fluent 101 before being dismissed.
Shubman Gill remains not out on 127, anchoring India’s innings with confidence and composure.
Rishabh Pant, returning after a long injury layoff, contributed a brisk 65 runs, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
The English bowling attack struggled for consistency, with Ben Stokes being the standout, taking 2 wickets and showing some control amid the run flow.
| Format | Matches Played | Runs Scored | Highest Score | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 6 | 374 | 303* | 1/0 |
| ODIs | 2 | 46 | 39 | 0/0 |
Despite these modest numbers, Nair’s rare feat of a Test triple century remains etched in the memory of Indian fans. His inclusion in the playing XI is seen as both a strategic selection and a symbolic return for someone who never gave up on the game.
Nair’s return has generated massive buzz across social media platforms. Fans, former players, and cricket analysts are celebrating his resilience, with many highlighting how rare it is for players to return to the national side after such a long break—especially in Indian cricket where competition is fierce.
Some comments from X (formerly Twitter) included:
“Karun Nair’s comeback is what dreams are made of!”
“Dropped after a triple century, but never dropped his passion. What a return!”
“402 matches missed, but now back in blue. Karun, you inspire us all!”
If Nair can capitalize on this opportunity, he could finally cement a long-term place in India’s Test squad. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane likely nearing the end of their careers, the middle-order spot is up for grabs. Nair’s ability to play long innings, adapt to conditions, and bat with composure makes him a valuable red-ball asset for India’s future tours.
Karun Nair’s return to the Indian Test side is not just about numbers—it’s a narrative of perseverance, redemption, and talent reasserting itself. His re-entry after 8 long years and a world-record 402 missed international games speaks volumes about the unpredictability and beauty of sports.
As India takes on England in this crucial Test series, all eyes will be on how this comeback story unfolds.
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