Karun Nair breaks 8-year Test drought: India’s top 10 longest cricket gaps

Karun Nair has ended an 8-year and 84-day hiatus from Test cricket, marking the tenth longest gap between Test appearances for an Indian player. His last Test was against Australia in Dharamshala in 2017.

The longest such interval for India is held by Lala Amarnath, who waited 12 years and 129 days between his third and fourth Tests from 1934 to 1946.

Among recent players, left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat experienced a similar long wait, spending 12 years and two days between his first and second Tests.

Globally, the record for the longest gap between two Test matches is held by John Traicos, who waited 22 years and 222 days. Traicos played his third Test for South Africa in 1970 and then returned to play his fourth Test for Zimbabwe in 1992.

These lengthy gaps highlight the unpredictable nature of cricket careers and selection dynamics, with players sometimes returning to the international stage after extended absences.

"Karun’s last Test appearance came against Australia in Dharamshala in 2017. This gap (8 years 84 days), is the tenth longest interval between appearances in Tests for India."
"The longest such break for an Indian player belongs to Lala Amarnath, who had to wait 12 years and 129 days in between his third and fourth Tests (1934-1946)."
"Among recent Indian cricketers, left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat spent 12 years and two days between his first and second Tests."
"The record for the longest wait for a player in between two Tests for any nationality belongs to John Traicos (22 years and 222 days). Traicos played his third Test for South Africa in 1970, before turning up for Zimbabwe in 1992 for his fourth Test."

Karun Nair ended an 8-year, 84-day Test cricket hiatus, marking the tenth longest gap for an Indian player. The longest Indian gap is Lala Amarnath’s 12 years and 129 days. Jaydev Unadkat’s 12-year wait is also notable, while John Traicos holds the global record at 22 years, 222 days.