Indian wicketkeeper-botter KL Rahul has expressed strong support for his former Karnataka team partner Karun Nair, who has returned to the Indian Test cricket team after a gap of eight years. Nair, who earlier scored a triple century against England in 2016, remembered her after her effective performance in domestic cricket and county cricket in England. Karun Nair’s return to the national team comes after a successful tenure with Northampton in 2024 County Championship Division 2, where he scored 487 runs in 11 innings. His recent form includes a double century (204) against England’s Lions in an informal test match for India. Nair, 33, performed an extraordinary form in domestic cricket last season, collecting nine centuries in various formats. His Ranji Trophy campaign scored 863 runs in 9 matches on an average of 53.93, including four centuries and two half -centuries.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair maintained his impressive run-scoring capacity, scoring 779 runs in eight innings of 389.50, including five centuries. His first class cricket records show 8470 runs in 186 innings at an average of 49.82, with 24 centuries and 36 half -centuries. KL Rahul said in a video posted by the BCCI, “I have to go for a very long and for the months that he spent here playing cricket in Britain and how difficult it was and how hard it was and was able to do all this for him and returned to the Indian team.” “I think it is special for her, for her family, and for friends like us, who have seen their journey. So, as I said that it is very inspiring and hopefully, his experience and playing county cricket will catch him well when he plays a Test match here, “Rahul said. Quiz: Who is that IPL player? Nair’s last term with the Indian Test team ran from November 2016 to March 2017, during which he scored 374 runs in seven innings. His career highlight came when he became only the second Indian batsman after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Test cricket to get a feat against England in Chennai in December 2016. Nair said in response to his selection, “Really feels special. It is very grateful and very lucky to be able to get the opportunity again and is really looking forward and excited to grab this opportunity with both hands.” “Surely not certain! I think I have to experience feeling myself and you know, you know, just go there and feel it for yourself. And I am sure there will be a lot of feelings that I can’t express now and it will be a special feeling,” Nair asked about his feelings about his feelings. The pair of Rahul and Nair shares a long history, in which age-group cricket is played together and recently represents Delhi Capital in the 2025 IPL season. Selection of Nair for the upcoming five -match test series against England takes advantage of his recent experience in English conditions through county cricket.
