Karun Nair Reveals 'Comfort' Factor Ahead Of Test Comeback: 'Rahul And Prasidh...'
Last Updated:
Nair, after eight years, is set to solidify his place in the Indian Test team against England. He's comforted by the presence of childhood friends KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna.
As he seeks to capitalize on an opportunity that has arrived after eight years, Karun Nair says the presence of childhood friends KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna brings a comforting familiarity to the Indian dressing room.
The five-match Test series against England, starting on Friday, presents Karun with a chance to solidify his place in the team, years after becoming only the second Indian batter to score a triple century in Test cricket.
'I try to keep it very simple, always think about the positive, have certain goals in mind, visualize things and have real belief in what you visualize.
'Playing alongside Rahul and Prasidh is also a very comforting factor. We've played cricket for so many years since probably we were young kids and grew up together," Karun told BCCI in a video posted on its website.
Karun and Rahul, both 33, have played age-group cricket together and have been close friends ever since.
'Life has come a full circle because I went out of the team in England and now I am coming back into the team in England. It's been a while and I embrace that."
He was dropped from the Indian team in 2017.
'My first thought when I woke up (after being dropped) was I want to play Test cricket, I want to play for India again. That's probably what kept me going, kept me hungry and was the driving force to train and practice every day.
'I had a goal to play Test cricket again. Every day, every morning I used to wake up thinking what should I do to reach that goal. Never losing that belief and having that target to reach was something that helped me," he added.
In the 2024–25 domestic season, Karun amassed 863 runs in nine matches at an average of 54, helping Vidarbha clinch their third Ranji Trophy title.
The season revived his Test career as he made his return to the Indian Test side for the tour of England.
'Mentally I am more patient and I am more forgiving of myself. I have learnt to enjoy small things a little more and also not trying to be someone that I am not. I have tried to keep it very simple. I always think about positives, have certain goals in mind, visualize things and have real belief," Karun said.
'Feeling honoured to wear this jersey and honoured to be representing my country."
Karun said the realisation of making the Indian team again came to him when he met the touring group.
'When I saw everyone for the first time, that was when I realised I am finally in the team. Till then, it was a wait for me to start feeling I have made it again," he said.
'It's been a few years, I used to watch everyone on TV and to be back again in this dressing room feels amazing."
'I enjoy the feeling with everyone, enjoy the feeling of wearing this jersey, just going out there and having fun with everyone in the group and trying our best to win games for our country."
With PTI Inputs
First Published:
June 20, 2025, 13:05 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
35 minutes ago
- Mint
Root overtakes Jayasuriya to become 9th highest international cricket run-getter
Leeds [UK], June 22 (ANI): England batter Joe Root overtook Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya to become the ninth-highest run-getter in international cricket on Saturday. Root achieved this upward movement in the charts during his side's first Test match against India at Leeds. During his innings, he scored 28 in 58 balls, with two fours. He ultimately fell to Jasprit Bumrah for the 10th time in 25 innings, averaging 29 against him. In 366 international matches, Root has scored 21,053 runs in 479 innings at an average of 49.30, with 54 centuries and 112 fifties; his best score is 262. He is England's top run-getter of all time across all formats, including Tests and ODIs. On the other hand, Jayasuriya, the SL legend, scored 21,032 runs in 651 innings at an average of 34.14, with 42 centuries and 103 fifties. His best score is 340. The top run-getter in international cricket is Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian icon. He has scored 34,357 runs in 664 matches in 782 innings at an average of 48.52, with 100 centuries and 164 fifties. His best score is 248*. In Test cricket, Root has scored 13,034 runs in 154 matches and 280 innings at an average of 50.71, with 36 centuries and 65 fifties. His best score is 262. In ODIs, he has made 7,126 runs at an average of 49.14 in 180 matches and 169 innings, with 18 centuries and 42 fifties. In 32 T20Is and 30 innings, he has scored 893 runs at an average of 35.72, with a strike rate of 126.30 and five half-centuries. His best score is 90*. Coming to the match, England ended day two on 209/3, with Ollie Pope (100*) and Harry Brook (0*) unbeaten. A half-century from Ben Duckett (62 in 94 balls, with nine fours) and his century partnership with Pope gave England a boost after the early dismissal of Zak Crawley. Jasprit Bumrah (three wickets) made problems for England with timely strikes but barely found support from other bowlers. England trails by 262 runs. England, on day one, won the toss and opted to bowl first. Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101 in 159 balls, with 16 fours), skipper Shubman Gill (147 in 227 balls, with 19 fours and a six) and Rishabh Pant (134 in 178 balls, with 12 fours and six sixes) took India to 471. 430/4 at one point, skipper Ben Stokes (4/66) and Josh Tongue (4/86) caused a collapse. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
India women's team suffers 1-5 to clinical Belgium at FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25
Antwerp [Belgium], June 21 (ANI): The Indian women's hockey team went down 1-5 against Belgium at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 on Saturday in Antwerp. In a thrilling contest that saw 17 penalty corners for Belgium, Deepika (6') gave India the lead before goals from Helene Brasseur (37', 55'), Lucie Breyne (41'), Ambre Ballenghien (54'), and Charlotte Englebert (58') sealed victory for the hosts. Notably, all five of Belgium's goals arose from penalty corners, said release. India endured a nervy start as Belgium came out pressing with intent, earning a penalty corner within the opening minute. The early scare was averted, and Savita soon followed up with a sharp save to keep the scoreboard untouched. An unforced error in India's half gifted Belgium possession again, but Vaishnavi stepped up with a crucial interception to shut the door. Sitting deep and absorbing waves of pressure, India waited patiently for their chance on the break. When it came, they made it count. Their first circle entry resulted in a penalty corner, and Deepika's shot took a deflection off a Belgian defender before finding the back of the net to put India ahead. As the second quarter unfolded, India did well in midfield to open up spaces despite the Belgian press. However, Belgium were in control of proceedings and found two more penalty corners, but India were up to the task. A skilful run from Navneet set up Salima Tete on the right flank, leading to two consecutive penalty corners. On the rebound, Navneet fired a thunderous shot inside the circle, but goalkeeper Elena Sotgiu made a good save. Minutes before half-time, Lisa Moors threatened to level the scores with a powerful strike from inside the circle, but India's goalkeeper Bichu Devi kept it out. Belgium entered the third quarter having made 10 circle entries to India's four, maintaining steady pressure on the defence. It took five penalty corners before Helene Brasseur finally converted to bring Belgium level. Two more penalty corners followed, and despite a series of sharp saves from Savita, Lucie Breyne struck from close range during yet another set-piece to give Belgium a 2-1 lead. India laboured to find a way back, probing through the flanks in search of an opening in the final quarter, but the Belgian defence remained largely untroubled in the final third. The final ten minutes, however, were completely dominated by the hosts. In the 54th minute, Ambre Ballenghien effectively sealed the contest with a well-taken goal to make it 3-1. Five minutes later, Helene Brasseur converted Belgium's fourth penalty corner, stretching the lead further. Just before the end, Charlotte Englebert added her name to the scoresheet, calmly slotting home a penalty stroke in the 58th minute to complete a comprehensive 5-1 win for Belgium. The Indian Women's Hockey Team will take on Belgium on Sunday. (ANI )
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"He worked on certain things, credit goes to him...": Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak hails Shubman Gill
Leeds [UK], June 22 (ANI): Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised India test skipper Shubman Gill after his majestic hundred on captaincy debut against England on Saturday, in the first of five test match series at Headingley, Leeds. He said Gill had made specific changes in his batting, credited him with analysing what he needed to do, and felt he did really well. Sitanshu Kotak, while speaking in the post-match press conference, said, 'I think, after the Australia series, he [Shubman Gill] has thought of certain things, which he has implemented, after Australia, Champions Trophy, and then we had IPL. He worked on certain things, and as soon as I saw him in the nets, I spoke to him about the changes you made, and he said yes. So a lot of credit goes to him for analysing what he needs to do, and I think he did really well.' India were bowled out for 471 in 113 overs in the first innings, with captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all crossing the century milestone. Gill scored his century in 140 balls, making him the fifth Indian to have scored a century in his first Test as captain. He was dismissed on 147, trying to hit a six and complete his 150, but he was caught on square leg off Shoaib Bashir. Kotak also praised Pant for his brilliance in the middle. He felt the wicketkeeper/batter makes his decision when he bats and he plays aggressive shots, which does not mean that he can't play defensive cricket. 'Rishabh Pant, I think, is someone who makes his own plans, makes his decision when he bats, so this inning was a little different than you would see him normally, but that is his plan, the way he wanted to approach it, and when he wanted to attack, he did. So, because he plays aggressively, it does not mean that he can't play defensively,' he added. Pant was eventually dismissed on the second ball of the 108th over for 134 by Josh Tongue. India squandered the advantage in the first session on Day 2 as the side lost four wickets in the last half an hour. Shubman Gill (147), Karun Nair (0), Rishabh Pant (134) and Shardul Thakur (1) all lost their wickets. A century by Ollie Pope and his partnership with Ben Duckett helped England put up a strong reply against India in their first innings, ending the final session of day two of the first Test on a high. England earlier made a strong comeback, dismissing India for 471 after the visitors had ended the day yesterday on 359 for three and looked poised for a huge score. At the end of the second day's play, England were 209/3, with Pope (100*) and Harry Brook (0*) unbeaten. They trail by 262 runs. Brief Scores: England: 209/3 (Ollie Pope 100*, Ben Duckett 62, Jasprit Bumrah 3/48) trail India (Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134, Ben Stokes 4/66). (ANI)
