Karun Nair is making the most of his opportunities in domestic cricket after being dropped from the Indian Test team after a sub-par performance in IND vs ENG series. Making his return to the Test side after a gap of 8 years, the batter failed to live up to the expectations, finishing with just 205 runs to his name from 8 innings in England. Subsequently, Karun was dropped from the side for the series at home against West Indies and then was snubbed from the squads for India A series against SA as well.
Karun Nair’s redemption arc begins
After scoring 73 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 round 1 game against Saurashtra, Nair’s fine form continued as he slammed an unbeaten 174-run knock against Goa in the very next game. Returning to Karnataka after a two-year gap, the batter has showed promising signs while batting at number 4, with two fifty-plus scores already to his name so far in the tournament. At the time of publishing this story, Karun has scored 144 runs from 243 deliveries, having struck 12 fours and one 6 so far.
Nair’s knock has helped Karnataka resurrect their innings after their top-order simply failed to fire in the game against Goa.
Nair averaged 42.50 in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in six innings before hitting the top gear in Vijay Hazare Trophy. He smashed four consecutive centuries, averaging a staggering 389.50. Nair extended his form in Ranji Trophy, averaging 53.94 in 16 innings. Even on IPL return, he played a masterful knock against Mumbai Indians, dominating Jasprit Bumrah. For India A in the warm-up match against England, Nair scored a double century. But that’s where it ended.
Even though he got good starts, scoring 20-30s, he could never capitalise on them. Nair struggled against the extra pace of Jofra Archer and the bouncing deliveries. His only fifty came in the 5th Test. But it wasn’t enough to keep him in the Test squad.
