Karun Nair is back on the Indian team after an eight-year break, and he couldn’t be happier. He’s been racking up impressive runs in the 2024-25 domestic season and was eagerly waiting for this call-up. Nair last played for India in 2017 and was dropped right after becoming the second Indian to score a triple century in Tests.
“I’m really grateful to be back, happy and proud to have this chance,” Nair said. He found out about his selection just like everyone else did and received a ton of messages from friends and family.
He recently played a key role in helping Delhi Capitals win against Punjab Kings in the IPL. In the Ranji Trophy, Nair scored 863 runs in nine matches, including four centuries. He also scored 779 runs in just eight innings during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which clearly helped him get back into the national team.
“I’ve been batting well for the last year or so. I just need to stick to what’s been working for me,” he said. Nair’s solid performances were a big part of Vidarbha winning the Ranji Trophy this season.
After the game on Saturday, which helped Delhi Capitals end the season on a good note despite not making it to the playoffs, Nair stated, “It feels amazing. We really deserved this. We may not have been at our best, but tonight proves we’re a good team.”
While young Sameer Rizvi took home the Man-of-the-Match award for scoring his first IPL fifty, Nair added a useful 44 runs off 27 balls, helping his team stay in the game. “I’ve been hitting the ball well and came into the tournament with a lot of runs behind me. My confidence was high. I was trying to play too many shots too soon, but the coaches advised me to take it slow and then go for it,” Nair said.