Karun Nair has returned to the Indian Test fold after a seven-year hiatus. Dropped from the Indian Test squad following the tour of England in 2018, Nair spent years battling setbacks, including being overlooked by his state team Karnataka following the 2022 domestic season.

The right-hander shifted his base to Vidarbha before the next season. He enjoyed a dream run in the 2024/25 season and was rewarded by the BCCI selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar.

Nair now looks set to play his first Test after more than eight years in the upcoming series against England, slated to get underway on June 20 at Headingley.

Ahead of his potential Test comeback, Karun Nair has received rich praise from his Indian and state teammate, KL Rahul.

Nair and Rahul, both 33, have played age-group cricket together since their childhood and share a healthy bonding.

“We started playing cricket as 11-year-old boys together and we have been on this journey ever since. Both of us have had our ups and downs. He got his opportunity, scored a triple hundred, faced a bit of tough time after that for a lot of reasons,” Rahul told IPL franchise Delhi Capitals’ media team after the season that concluded earlier this month.

“But what has stood out is the way he has performed in the last 2-3 years,” he added, referring to Nair’s stellar run for Vidarbha in the domestic circuit.

Rahul is now hoping to play alongside Nair in the Indian team for a very long time. “We have spoken about his time in the UK and him having played County cricket, and the difficulties and the challenges that he faced. To have that drive to make a comeback to the Indian team despite all the hardships is commendable. I hope both of us can play for a very long time for the Indian team,” he said.

Rahul expressed confidence in Nair’s ability to do well in his comeback series. He also opened up on his preparations for the England series.

“I spoke to my coach as well to get prepared for this assignment. It’s always a challenge coming to England as they are a pretty good side, especially when they play at home. It’s going to be a challenge for all of us as we are a comparatively young team,” Rahul stated.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma called time on their Test careers last month, leaving a big void in the Indian team ahead of the marquee England tour that marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Rahul acknowledged that the dressing room would miss the two stalwarts. “Virat and Rohit have been the pillars of Indian cricket for the last decade or so, and not having them around will be a huge miss. In my whole career so far, I have never walked into a team where there is no Virat or Rohit,” he remarked.

“The 50-odd Test matches that I have played, either Virat or Rohit or both of them have been there. To walk into that dressing room feels a bit strange. But of course, you have to respect their decision. They have given absolutely everything for the country and they will remain legends of Indian cricket. But it’s time for the rest of us to step up,” he concluded.