Karun Nair’s return to the national side after eight years didn’t go as expected. With a huge opportunity opening up following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Nair was given a chance in the playing XI. However, it turned out to be an anti-climax as he was dismissed for a duck.
He came out to bat after skipper Shubman Gill was dismissed for 147. With Rishabh Pant at the crease, the stage was set for him to settle in and then go for the runs. But Nair attempted an expansive drive and was caught by Ollie Pope at short cover, off the bowling of England skipper Ben Stokes. He faced just four deliveries before walking back without opening his account.
Karun Nair looked in good touch in practice games
Nair earned his place in the Leeds Test squad after consistent performances in domestic and A-level cricket. In the first unofficial Test against the England Lions for India A, he scored a brilliant double century—204 runs off 281 balls, including 26 fours and a six. He followed that with a 40 off 71 balls in the first innings and a 15 in the second innings of the second unofficial Test.
He also enjoyed a strong domestic season, scoring 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches and 779 runs in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy games.
Nair remains a part of Indian cricket history, being the only Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Test cricket. He made an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in 2016. Prior to the Leeds Test, Nair had played six Test matches for India, scoring 374 runs at an impressive average of 62.33.
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz