Karun Nair opens up on the India vs England Test series
Karun Nair recently reflected on his performance during the Test series against England, which marked his much-anticipated return to India’s Test side after an eight-year absence. Despite the buzz surrounding his comeback, Nair found it difficult to live up to expectations on the big stage. Playing in four of the five matches, the Jodhpur-born batter managed just one half-century and struggled to convert promising starts into substantial scores. Across the series, Nair accumulated 205 runs at an average of 25.62—a modest return for a player expected to provide stability in India’s top order.
His inability to convert starts into big innings proved costly, especially given India’s inconsistent top-order performance throughout the series. Nair, who has been in good form in domestic red-ball cricket, was seen as a key figure in the batting lineup, but the pressure of the occasion appeared to weigh on him. Speaking after the series, Nair admitted feeling nervous, particularly on the difficult Oval pitch in the final Test. It was there that he notched his only half-century of the tour in the first innings but was left disappointed at not building on it. Despite flashes of promise, Nair’s return did not deliver the impact he—and the team—had hoped for.
"I was disappointed at not being able to convert the start at The Oval into a century. But looking back, it was quite important to grind my way on that first day with the team in a tricky position. I'd done well there previously; I'd gotten a 150 for Northants against Surrey (at the same ground). The nerves were there, but I was feeling good. I was hoping to convert, which I couldn't," stated Indian batter Karun Nair.
Karun Nair, now 33, made a fresh start by shifting from Karnataka to Vidarbha ahead of the 2024–25 domestic season—and the move paid off handsomely. He enjoyed a prolific run in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 863 runs at an impressive average of 53.93, including four centuries and two fifties. His performances were capped by a crucial knock in the final, underlining his value in pressure situations. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair was even more dominant, racking up 779 runs in just eight innings at a staggering average of 389.50, which included five centuries.
His red-hot form earned him a call-up to the national side for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England. Reflecting on the India vs England Test series, Nair acknowledged that it didn’t go entirely to plan. While there were moments to remember, he admitted the series had its ups and downs. Still, he stressed the importance of putting it behind him and moving forward.
"It was an up-and-down series in that sense, and I did reflect a lot. But it's also important to let go of what has happened and look forward to what I need to do in the next few months. It's about keeping my focus levels up and making sure I go on and make big scores, irrespective of the level I'm playing at," Nair added.
