India A team was picked for a series against Australia A. Many people were surprised that Karun Nair was not in the squad. Nair is a talented batsman who once scored a big triple century in Test cricket. But after that, his career has been full of ups and downs. He was away from Tests for eight years, came back in 2025, but did not do well. Now, missing out on India A makes people wonder: Is his Test career finished? This article looks at his past, his strong domestic play, his recent failures, and why it might be hard for him to return.
The Big 303 and the Quick Fall
Karun Nair’s best moment came in 2016. In his third Test match against England in Chennai, he scored an unbeaten 303 runs. This made him the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Tests. He did it faster than anyone else, turning his first Test hundred into a triple in just three innings. India won the match by a big margin, and Nair was named Player of the Match.
But good times did not last. In the next series against Australia in 2017, Nair scored only 26, 0, 23, and 5 in four innings. The selectors dropped him right away. This showed that in Indian cricket, even a huge score like 303 does not protect you if you fail soon after. Nair’s big innings set very high hopes, making small failures look worse. He was out of the Test team for a long time.
In 2018, he was picked for the England tour but did not play any matches. This made him feel left out, as no one told him why. The selectors’ rule is simple: Show good form now, or stay out.
Fighting Back in Domestic Cricket
After being dropped, Nair worked hard in domestic cricket to prove himself. In 2023-24, he moved from Karnataka to Vidarbha to get more chances to lead and score. This move helped a lot.
In the 2024-25 season, Nair had one of the best years ever:
- In Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over games), he scored 779 runs in 7 matches at an average of 389.50. He made 5 centuries and set a world record by scoring 542 runs without getting out.
- In Ranji Trophy (first-class games), he scored 863 runs as captain and helped Vidarbha win the title. He had 4 centuries.
- In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20), he scored 255 runs at a strike rate over 170.
These numbers were amazing across all formats. Nair showed he could score big and lead a team. It was his way of saying, “Pick me for Tests!” His domestic success was so good that it forced the selectors to give him another chance in 2025.
But this also raises a question: If he is so good at home, why does he struggle in Tests? It might mean domestic cricket is not always the same as international level, especially abroad.
| Tournament | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Centuries | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranji Trophy | 9 | 16 | 863 | 135 | 53.93 | 4 | 0 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 7 | – | 779 | 163* | 389.50 | 5 | 0 |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | – | 6 | 255 | – | 42.50 | 0 | 3 |
The 2025 Comeback That Did Not Work
After years of strong domestic play, Nair got back into the Test team for the 2025 series in England. It was his big chance to fix his career. He played in the first three Tests and scored 131 runs in six innings: 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14. He showed some fight with a 40 at Lord’s, but no big scores. He was dropped for the fourth Test, replaced by Sai Sudharsan.
He came back for the last Test but got hurt in the finger. In the whole series, he scored 205 runs in eight innings with one fifty. Experts like Sanjay Manjrekar said Nair got his chance but could not take it. Aakash Chopra called it an “okay” effort but not enough.
Coming back after eight years in tough English conditions was hard. The pressure was high, and he could not find his rhythm. This failure gave the selectors a reason to drop him again. Unlike his first drop, this one came when he was at his best in domestic cricket, so it hurts his case more.
Too Much Competition and Age Problem
Even if Nair scores more domestic runs, getting back into Tests is tough because of other players and his age.
India’s middle order is full of stars:
- Old players like KL Rahul (33), Rishabh Pant (27), Shreyas Iyer (30).
- Young ones like Shubman Gill (26, Test captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal (23), Sarfaraz Khan (27).
- New prospects in India A like Dhruv Jurel (24), Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni.
Shreyas Iyer is captaining India A, showing the selectors are building around him. Nair is 33, turning 34 soon. The team wants young players for the next World Test Championship.
| Player | Age (late 2025) | Role | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 33 | Senior | Versatile, good abroad |
| Rishabh Pant | 27 | Senior | Aggressive, keeper |
| Shreyas Iyer | 30 | A-Team Captain | Good vs spin, leader |
| Shubman Gill | 26 | Test Captain | Solid technique |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 23 | Starter | Aggressive opener |
| Sarfaraz Khan | 27 | Squad | Domestic star |
| Dhruv Jurel | 24 | A-Team VC | Technique, keeper |
| Sai Sudharsan | – | Prospect | Consistent |
| Karun Nair | 33 | Outside | Domestic runs, experience |
Nair is not in the future plans. The selectors pick for long-term, not just recent form.
Learning from Past Comebacks
Looking at old comebacks in Indian cricket shows why Nair’s might not happen.
- Sourav Ganguly in 2006: Came back due to team struggles, public pressure, and domestic runs. Nair has no such pressure or team need.
- Mohinder Amarnath: Known for comebacks because he was great against fast bowling when India needed it. Nair does not have a special skill like that.
- Dinesh Karthik in 2018-2022: Changed his game to a T20 finisher and shone in IPL. Nair is a traditional Test batsman with no new role.
These players had special reasons to return. Nair just has good domestic scores, but the team does not need him.
Conclusion: Probably the End
Karun Nair’s story is inspiring but sad. His 303 was historic, and his domestic comeback was amazing. He fought hard for eight years and got a second chance in 2025. But poor scores in England, his age, and too many young players make it hard to return.
Missing the India A squad is a big sign that selectors are moving on. They are building a young team for the future. While nothing is 100% sure in cricket, it looks like Karun Nair’s Test career is over. He can still play domestic cricket and enjoy the game, but the international door seems closed.
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