After Karun Nair’s incredible run for Vidarbha across formats in the local arena, the cricket community came together in early March of this year and loudly demanded that the pro batter make a national comeback. In addition to scoring 779 runs at an incredible average of 389.50 during his incredible run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25, Nair guided Vidarbha to the finals, where they were defeated by Karnataka, his home team till 2022.
Karun Nair 863 runs in nine games at the end of the Ranji Trophy a few months later made headlines once more.
This time, he also helped Vidarbha win just their third Ranji trophy after they had lost to Mumbai by a slim margin the season before. His ability to adapt and be a dynamic batter in response to the shifting demands of the format he plays in was ultimately demonstrated in the IPL 2025, when he poured flow into the Delhi Capitals batting line with 89 off just 40 deliveries.
Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, claims that Karun Nair’s experience led him to make a dramatic but not unexpected call into the Indian side as the team enters a transitional phase following the retirement of veteran batsman Virat Kohli, leaving a position open for a No. 4 batter. Nair, who was born in Jodhpur and had been training for the evening match against the Punjab Kings, received wonderful news in his hotel room when he saw his name listed among the 18 players in India’s England tour squad, which was captained by Shubman Gill.
“Happy, proud, privileged, and grateful to be back. Like all of you, I learnt (about being included in the squad). Awaiting the call with great anticipation, I received numerous messages from loved ones. During the past 12 to 16 months, they have been hitting well. Lokmat Times Nagpur cited Nair as stating, “It’s about sticking to my procedures and doing the same things that have worked for me.”
Karun Nair next immediate objective is to establish himself in India’s main middle-order unit and provide runs that advance the team’s cause. The Vidarbha batter will find it extremely difficult to step into Kohli’s shoes, but with his form, the selectors’ faith, and a strong batting style, he will be more than confident to make his “second chance” matter when the tour against the Three Lions kicks off in Leeds on June 20.
India’s 2025 England tour squad
Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, B Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Karun Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, and Akash Deep
India
