There is something deeply compelling about a comeback in cricket, especially when it is forged over sheer hard work. That is the story unfolding at Headingley in the first Test of the ongoing series between India and England. Karun Nair, named in the Indian XI, marked his return to Test cricket after a gap of more than 3,000 days.
Nair, now 33, last played a Test match in March 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala. Since then, he had virtually vanished from the Test landscape. He was dropped without much explanation and ignored despite decent domestic returns.
His overall consistency across formats, especially since moving from Karnataka to Vidarbha, forced selectors to revisit a talent that once made him only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple hundred in Test cricket. The call-up for the Headingley Test did not come out of nowhere. Karun Nair has been in superb touch in domestic cricket. He accumulated 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 and recently scored a double century against England Lions for India A.Â
Also read: Karun Nair Set for Karnataka Return, Jitesh Sharma Likely to Join Baroda: Report
India Recall Karun Nair After 77 Tests, One of Longest Gaps in History
With this match, Nair enters a rare group of Indian players who have endured exceptionally long waits between Test appearances. His return after missing 77 consecutive Tests is now the fourth-longest such gap in Indian cricket history.
Here’s a quick look at the top five:
118 - Jaydev Unadkat (2010-2022)
87 - Dinesh Karthik (2010-2018)
83 - Parthiv Patel (2008-2016)
77 - Karun Nair (2017-2025)
56 - Abhinav Mukund (2011-17)
What makes Nair’s comeback particularly unique is that he had already scored a triple ton in only his third Test against England in 2016, and yet found himself struggling to break into the side for nearly a decade.
Sai Sudharsan Makes his Test Debut, Karun Nair to Bat at 6
England have won the toss and put India to bat at Headingley. The Shubman Gill-led side has handed the Test debut to Sai Sudharsan, who will bat at 3.Â
Nair, who is making his Test comeback, has been pushed down the order and will be batting at No. 6, coming after Gill and Rishabh Pant in the batting order.
Also read: Life Comes Full Circle For Karun Nair, Makes India Return After Almost 3000 Days
