Along with spinner Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul and Karun Nair will represent their country when Team India plays England in the highly anticipated five-match Test series away from home beginning on June 20.
Rahul, who batted brilliantly for the Capitals during the IPL, has praised his teammate Karun Nair for his efforts and thrown his support behind him as he returns to the Indian squad after an eight-year hiatus.
“We have been on this path since we began playing cricket together as 11-year-old youngsters.
We’ve both had highs and lows. After getting his chance and hitting a triple hundred, he had a difficult time for a variety of reasons. However, his performance over the past two to three years has been particularly noteworthy,” Rahul told our media team following the 2025 IPL season.
His return to the fundamentals has been admirable. We have discussed his time in the UK, his involvement in county cricket, and the obstacles and hardships he encountered. It is admirable to have the motivation to rejoin the Indian squad in spite of all the obstacles. He continued, “I hope both of us can play for the Indian team for a very long time.”
“I started with my preparations for the England series right after the IPL,” the right-handed hitter noted while discussing his own preparations. In order to prepare for this task, I also talked to my coach. Coming to England is always difficult because they are a formidable team, particularly at home. We are a relatively young team, so it will be difficult for all of us.
Rahul believes that it will be a loss to not have the two cricketing greats in the dressing room, but he also said that it is a chance for the younger players to carry on the tradition. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have previously declared their retirements from Test cricket.
For the past ten or so years, Virat and Rohit have been the cornerstones of Indian cricket, therefore their absence will be greatly missed. I’ve never joined a squad without Virat or Rohit in my whole career to date. Virat, Rohit, or both have appeared in the fifty or so Test matches I have played.
It’s a little weird to enter that changing room. Naturally, though, you must respect their choice. They will always be remembered as Indian cricket icons since they have sacrificed all for their nation. However, it’s time for the others to take charge,” he said.
India and England will play their first Test match at Headingley in Leeds.
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