Latest news with #BCCI.tv
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Life has come full circle in England': Comeback man Karun Nair ahead of first ENG vs IND Test
When India takes on England in the first Test at Headingley in Leeds, it will also potentially mark the end of an eight-year wait for Karun Nair to make a comeback into the national side. The middle-order batter believes his life has 'come to a full cricle' after having been dropped from the Indian Test team in England to making a comeback in England after eight long years. 'Life has come a full circle because I went out of the team in England and now I'm coming back into the team in England. So it's been a while and I'm trying to embrace that,' said Nair ahead of the first Test to The Karnataka batter who now represents Vidarbha in the domestic circuit, justified his India call-up after scoring a double century for India A in the unofficial Test against England Lions in Canterbury. 'My first thought when I woke up was I want to play Test cricket, I want to play for India again. That's probably what kept me going and kept me hungry. The driving force, go to training every day, go to practice every day. I had a goal of I want to play Test cricket again and I was always looking at playing Test cricket and every day, every morning I used to wake up thinking what should I do to reach that goal,' said Nair. Nair is expected to fill the void in the middle-order after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirements from this format last month. 'Never losing that belief and having that target to reach was something that helped me. Feeling honoured to wear this jersey and honoured to be representing my country. When I saw everyone for the first time, that's when I really, you know, felt it that I'm finally in the team. Till then it was like a wait for me to kind of start feeling like I've made it again. It's been a few years, I used to always watch everyone on TV, now to be back again in this dressing room feels amazing. You know, getting that first session under the belt was relief, grateful to get that opportunity,' he said. An emotional yet confident Nair said he is now more forgiving of himself and more patient in life. 'Enjoying the feeling of being with everyone. Enjoying 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. Mentally, I'm more patient and I'm more forgiving of myself. I've learnt to enjoy small things a little more. You know, not trying to be someone that I'm not. I've always tried to keep it very simple. Always think about the positive and have certain goals in mind, visualise thing and have real belief in what you visualise,' he said.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Playing alongside those two is very comforting': Karun Nair plots Test redemption with oldest allies in India squad
Comeback king Karun Nair has been one of the main attractions for Indian Test cricket fans in this post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma era. Nair's comeback comes eight years after he last played in the format for India. Nair also justified with his return by scoring a double century for India A, in their preparatory unoffcial Test vs England Lions in Canterbury. In the upcoming Test series in England, which is scheduled to begin on Friday in Leeds, Nair is expected to be part of a new-look top-order, which won't have Kohli and Rohit, who annoucned their retirements from the format recently. Speaking ahead of the first Test, Nair opened up on his comeback after stunning domestic performances. Speaking to he said, 'My first thought when I woke up was I want to play test cricket, I want to play for India again. That's probably what kept me going and kept me hungry. The driving force, go to training every day, go to practice every day. I had a goal of I want to play test cricket again and I was always looking at playing test cricket and 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. Feeling honored to wear this jersey and honored to be representing my country. 'When I saw everyone for the first time, that's when I really, you know, felt it that I'm finally in the team. Till then it was like a wait for me to kind of start feeling like I've made it again. It's been a few years, I used to always watch everyone on TV, now to be back again in this dressing room feels amazing. You know, getting that first session under the belt was relief, grateful to get that opportunity. Life has come a full circle because I went out of the team in England and now I'm coming back into the team in England. So it's been a while and I'm trying to embrace that.' Nair also rejoiced the fact that he would be sharing the dressing room with KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna, revealing that they have played together since childhood. '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,' he said. Nair's return comes after he registered 863 runs at 53.93 for Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy-winning team. Before that, he smacked five tons in eight innings at an average of 389.50 at the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Int'l Cricket Council
4 days ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
In-form Sudharsan draws inspiration from fellow townsman
Sai Sudharsan credited fellow Chennaite Washington Sundar's cricketing journey for inspiring him, ahead of the crucial red-ball series against England. Following a splendid domestic season, including a stellar Indian Premier League (IPL) in which he was the highest run-getter, Sudharsan earned a call-up to the national squad for the five-match Test series commencing on Friday, 20 June. "I've played a few games against him, so it is always special", the left-hander batter told praising Sundar. "We've looked up to him a lot, I've practiced once, twice and the way he went up and the way he played for the country, it was really quick and I had that in my mind." The rich in-form batter said Sundar has been an inspiration for him when he was young. "It was great to see him - a few years of IPL, he did well in IPL, then he played for the country, so it was a great motivator for me from Chennai. "Knowing him from young, playing with him - it's kind of an inspiration where it made me feel that I also want to do the same way." Sundar started as a batter in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2016, and made his senior national team debut within a year. The then 20-year old all-rounder made his Test debut and played a vital knock in India's famous Gabba win in 2021, which helped them win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sundar reciprocated the same thoughts about Sudharsan saying his friends and coaches have constantly spoken about the latter's growth. "He's always grown with his cricketing career in the last three-four years, and he's managed to get better every year. "Everytime I have watched him on TV, there was a lot to take away from him and from his skill sets and the kind of work ethics that he has got. "He has definitely inspired a lot of kids, especially in Chennai and I am sure he's going to continue to inspire so many more around the world. I am very for him." India, under a new captain, will begin the new World Test Championship cycle taking on England at Leeds from Friday.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Coach Gambhir's message to young Team India ahead of England Test tour
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has urged his squad to embrace the challenge of their upcoming Test series in England and turn it into a landmark moment in Indian cricket, especially in the absence of veterans Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, who have all recently retired from the longest format. The highly anticipated five-match series begins on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, and India will be aiming for their first Test series victory on English soil since 2007. Speaking to Gambhir said, 'There are two perspectives, either we view this tour as a setback without our senior-most players, or we see it as a golden opportunity to create history for the nation.' Gambhir expressed confidence in the current squad, led by newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill, praising their commitment and desire to succeed. 'What I see in this group is hunger, passion, and the will to fight. If we can sacrifice comfort and give our all in every moment, we can make this a tour to remember.' The former opener extended a warm welcome to several players, highlighting debutants and returnees alike. He praised B Sai Sudharsan, commending his recent batting form and encouraging him to aim for a long and successful red-ball career. Pacer Arshdeep Singh, known for his white-ball prowess, was also applauded, with Gambhir confident that his red-ball transition will be impactful. Gambhir lauds captain Gill Congratulating Shubman Gill on his elevation to captaincy, Gambhir said, 'There's no bigger honour than leading your country in Tests.' He also welcomed Rishabh Pant into the leadership group, acknowledging his growing role in the team. Gambhir was especially moved by Karun Nair's return to the squad after seven years, attributing it to his consistent domestic performance and resilient attitude. 'Comebacks aren't easy. Karun's journey is proof that determination pays off, and it's a source of inspiration for the entire group.' Karun expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying he was eager to make the most of his return. 'It means a lot to wear the India cap again. I'm looking forward to grabbing this chance with both hands,' he said. Captain Gill, meanwhile, urged his teammates to treat each practice session with intensity and purpose. 'Let's simulate pressure in the nets so we're prepared for tough moments in the series. It's not just about surviving, it's about finding out who we are as cricketers when tested,' he said. With fresh leadership, new faces, and a hunger to make history, Team India is aiming for more than just a win—they want to create a legacy in England.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Karun Nair: 'Comebacks are never easy'
India head coach Gautam Gambhir welcomed Karun Nair back into the Test fold with heartfelt praise, highlighting the batter's resilience and hunger. 'Comebacks are never easy,' Gambhir said in a video released by 'The amount of runs he got, the never-give-up attitude—it's inspiring for the entire team. Welcome back, Karun Nair.' Nair last played a Test in 2017, months after becoming only the second Indian to score a triple century in the format. Since then, his career faced setbacks, including being dropped by Karnataka. But the right-hand middle-order batter revived his journey by moving to Vidarbha as a professional ahead of the 2023-24 season. He ended the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 as the fourth-highest run-getter, with 863 runs in 16 innings, including four centuries. Nair gave a glimpse of his barnstorming form with a double ton against England Lions in the first warm-up match. He was the top-scoring batter for India A in the two warm-ups combined, with 259 runs. Nair has impressed in England earlier as well, representing Northamptonshire in Division 1 of the County Championship, where overall he averaged 56.61 across 14 innings with two hundreds, including an unbeaten 202. Gambhir's backing comes ahead of India's five-Test series against England, which marks the beginning of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.
