Karun Nair returns to India Test squad: 8 years after historic triple century

Karun Nair's return to the India Test squad after an eight-year hiatus is a significant development ahead of the England series, symbolizing a full circle since his historic triple century against England in 2016.

Nair, who was dropped in 2018 after his initial success, has made a compelling case for his comeback through consistent domestic performances. In the 2024/25 season, he scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy, ranking fourth highest, and topped the Vijay Hazare one-day competition with 779 runs.

The Indian team, now under the leadership of Shubman Gill, is undergoing a transition with the retirement of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin, and the exclusion of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. This new-look squad blends youth with experience, with seniors like Ravindra Jadeja, K.L. Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Nair himself.

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed strong support for Nair's comeback, comparing his temperament and consistency to legends like Dravid, Laxman, and Pujara. Kaif highlighted, "Karun Nair can do the same work. He has a complete game. He plays big innings in Ranji and is coming on the back of consistent runs."

Nair's return to the Karnataka team for personal reasons and his ongoing presence with the Indian squad in England further underscore his readiness to contribute at the highest level once again.

This resurgence comes at a time when India faces the challenge of touring England, a historically tough venue since 1932, with the team aiming to build on past series triumphs and overcome the swinging conditions under English skies.

As England's captain Ben Stokes noted, despite the absence of former stars, India continues to produce high-quality players, making Nair's return a timely boost for the visitors.

Key quotes and stats:
"Karun has forced his way into selection, and the England series is set to mark a full circle moment for him."
"Nair scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy - the fourth-highest in the tournament - and topped the charts in the Vijay Hazare one-day competition with 779 runs."
"Karun Nair can do the same work. He has a complete game. He plays big innings in Ranji and is coming on the back of consistent runs." - Mohammad Kaif
"Any team would look pale when players like Ashwin, Kohli and Rohit retire one after the other but India continue to produce high-quality players regularly." - Ben Stokes

Karun Nair returns to the India Test squad after eight years, marking a full circle since his historic triple century against England in 2016. His comeback follows strong domestic performances, including topping the Vijay Hazare one-day charts and scoring 863 Ranji Trophy runs, amid a youth-focused team led by Shubman Gill.