Karun Nair made a comeback after 9 years into the Indian Test side — on the tour of England, where he scored just a touch over 120 runs, averaged in mid-20s, and scored only one fifty. He looked good until he stayed at the crease, but still found ways to get out. Post that, in the West Indies series he was dropped.
Karun Nair Shines in Ranji Trophy
But now, he seems to have opened the doors for yet another comeback, as he slammed second ton of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 battle between Karnataka and Kerala. The 33-year-old only needed 163 deliveries to get to the milestone. This, after he had scored 73 in the opening match vs Saurashtra, followed by an epic 174 not out vs Goa.
So, where do these knocks really place him currently; with the IND vs SA Test squad yet to be announced, for the series that starts on November 14? For now, he is in direct competition with Sai Sudharsan, who is playing the IND A vs SA A 1st Test, and hasn’t been impressive.
IND vs SA from November 14
In the first innings, he scored 32 from 94, prior to this he scored an 87 vs West Indies. So, he too hasn’t been as impressive as he should have been. So, will the selectors be tempted again to look at Karun Nair? It could have been a certain yes, if not for his age. But now, it is a 50-50, given the preference Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel gives to the youngsters.
But for now, he has been playing well in the Ranji Trophy, and the best that he could possibly do is, keep on getting the big scores. If not SA, then with consistent scores, he could be on his way back in the subsequent series.
