Seven years ago, Karun Nair wandered aimlessly down Oxford Street with shopping bags in hand and a broken heart.
Today, he’s back in England—but this time, it’s with a bat, not baggage.
As India prepare to face England in a five-Test series starting at Headingley, one of the most unexpected comeback stories in Indian cricket is about to get its next chapter.
The 2018 Heartbreak That Never Left
Back in 2018, Nair was with the Indian Test squad in England, hopeful of finally getting his chance during the fifth Test at The Oval.
England had already sealed the series 3-1, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for the management to give Nair his long-awaited start.
Instead, Hanuma Vihari—freshly called into the squad—got the nod.
Nair wasn’t just dropped; he was left speechless. No explanation. No closure.
“I felt like the ground beneath me had disappeared,” Nair recalls.
“I went out and just bought anything I could see—shoes, clothes—anything to distract myself.”
That Test was his last experience with the national team… until now.
A Return No One Saw Coming
Fast forward to today, and Nair is back—fitter, mentally tougher, and ready to take his shot at redemption.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, doors have opened, and Nair’s double-century for India A against England Lions made sure he was first in line.
This time, he’s not splurging in despair. Instead, he’s keeping it simple with a pair of summer shorts from Zara.
“It’s getting warmer,” he jokes, clearly enjoying the change in both weather and fortune.
Gambhir’s Approval and the Power of Persistence
Gautam Gambhir, now head coach of the Indian team, didn’t hold back in praising Nair’s spirit.
“The most important thing is that never-say-die attitude.
That’s what brought him back,” Gambhir said.
It’s a sentiment that reflects the grit behind Nair’s journey.
For years after 2018, cricket wasn’t a source of joy—it was painful.
Nair stopped watching matches altogether.
And in 2022, things hit rock bottom when he wasn’t even picked for Karnataka, his state team.
The Tweet That Said It All
It was on his wife’s birthday in December 2022 that emotions finally boiled over.
After putting on a brave face all day, Nair broke down at home.
He tweeted a heartfelt message that’s now iconic:
“Dear cricket, give me one more chance.”
His wife was surprised, but Nair explained, “That’s just how I felt.
That was the lowest moment of my life. I had a newborn son, a family… and I still felt lost.”
Rejecting Retirement and Chasing the Dream
Despite suggestions from former players to pivot to T20 leagues for financial security, Nair stayed true to his goal—returning to the Indian Test side.
“It would’ve been easier to walk away,” he admits. “But I would’ve regretted it forever.”
So began a rigorous comeback plan. In early 2023, he began commuting three hours every other day just to train with a former coach outside Bangalore.
A WhatsApp group called “Comeback Season” was created—but motivation wasn’t always easy.
Playing Club Cricket and Seizing Tiny Opportunities
Unable to land an IPL deal or a county contract, Nair took up club cricket in East Wiltshire.
“I was way above that level,” he laughs. “But it was all I had. I had to suck it up.”
Eventually, Northamptonshire came calling—for just £500 a match.
“I didn’t care about the money,” he says. “I just needed the opportunity.” And he made it count.
A quickfire 78 at Edgbaston, followed by a brilliant 150 at The Oval, brought him back into the conversation.
County Grind Pays Off
Northants brought him back in 2024, this time for seven matches at £1,000 a game.
In two seasons, Nair racked up 736 runs at an average of 56.61, including a standout double hundred against Glamorgan.
Selectors took notice, especially Ajit Agarkar, who cited Nair’s experience in English conditions as a major plus.
The Manifestation That Turned Real
As the domestic season continued, Nair couldn’t stop visualizing himself back in India whites.
After a brilliant Ranji Trophy campaign with Vidarbha and an explosive IPL innings for Delhi Capitals (89 off 40 balls), his dream materialized.
“I imagined myself lining up for the anthem again,” he says. “Less than a year later, here we are.”
Back Where It All Fell Apart—But Ready to Rewrite It
There’s something poetic about Nair returning to England—the very place that once shattered his spirit.
He now trains with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in Beckenham, fully aware of the weight and wonder of this second chance.
“I don’t think I’ve changed drastically,” he reflects.
“But I’ve consistently worked hard, even when it felt pointless. That self-belief—that’s what got me back.”
India and Nair Share a Common Goal
India haven’t won a Test series in England since 2007.
Now, with a younger side led by stars like Shubman Gill and backed by returning warriors like Nair, the goal is within reach.
“It’ll come down to how we bat in these conditions and how England handles our bowling attack,” Nair says with quiet confidence.
And don’t forget—this is a man with a Test average of 62.33 and one of only two Indian triple-centurions.
That 303 in Chennai still echoes, and who’s to say another iconic moment isn’t just around the corner?
Loved by Teammates, Admired by Fans
KL Rahul, who has watched Nair fight his way back, summed it up best: “He’s gone through lonely, hard months.
This comeback means a lot—not just to him, but to all of us who’ve seen his journey.”
Whether or not Karun Nair lights up the series, one thing is certain—this comeback has already won the hearts of fans and teammates alike.
In the very land that once left him broken, he now stands whole again.