Former India cricketer and commentator Ambati Rayudu believes Karun Nair deserves to get back into the Indian Test team during the upcoming tour of England. Nair made a strong comeback in the IPL, scoring 89 runs off 40 balls against the Mumbai Indians, marking his first half-century in T20 since 2018. He even scored 18 runs off Jasprit Bumrah during his innings, reaching his half-century in just 22 balls. Rayudu praised Nair for his determination and ability to turn his career around at 33, expressing his hope to see Nair back in the Test squad.
Rayudu emphasized how tough it can be for players to bounce back in Indian cricket when things aren’t going well. He noted that many lose their way in the domestic league, but Nair has kept pushing himself. “Cricket moves fast, but Karun hasn’t given up. He’s kept learning and working hard, believing he could return, especially in Test cricket. I truly hope he makes it to England for the series,” Rayudu said on Star Sports.
Nair has been on fire this season, playing a key role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy win as the fourth-highest run scorer with 863 runs in 16 innings, averaging nearly 54 with four centuries and two fifties. He was also the top scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, racking up 779 runs in eight innings with an impressive average of 389.50 and five centuries. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he led his team again with 255 runs off six innings.
Nair hasn’t played Test cricket since 2017, and he’s hoping for a spot in the India A squad set to play against the England Lions in preparation for the Test series. A strong performance there could pave the way for his return to the national team.