Karun Nair and KL Rahul discussed the former’s return to the Indian Test squad for the first time in over seven years. Nair has been appointed to India’s Test team for the series against England, following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. When asked about the opportunity, Nair said it felt extraordinary, and he was grateful, privileged, and eager to seize it with both hands.
Nair was unable to articulate his sentiments in words and was compelled to experience them firsthand. He described it as a fantastic experience to be able to return to the sidelines. Nair’s last Test for India was against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2017.
“I feel really unique, appreciative, and fortunate to be able to have this chance again. I’m quite excited about this chance. I’m not sure, actually. I believe I’ll have to walk out there and feel it for myself. And I’m sure there will be a lot of emotions, some of which I can’t articulate right now, and it will be a great sensation,” Nair said in a video posted by BCCI.
Watch BCCI’s video featuring Karun Nair and KL Rahul here:
A comeback story with Karun Nair 🔝
P.S. – A special message from KL Rahul 👌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @karun126 | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/PeYCsNtnxv
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2025
‘I understand how terrible and lonely it was for him. – KL Rahul describes Karun Nair’s voyage
Meanwhile, KL Rahul, Karun Nair’s colleague and long-time friend, discussed his return to the Indian team. He recognised Nair’s hard work at the County level to re-enter the Test team. Rahul thought it was special for him, their friends, and family members, and hoped Nair’s experience playing in the UK would help.
“I’ve known him for a very long time and the months he spent here in the UK playing cricket and how hard and lonely it was, for him to be able to do all of that and come back into the Indian team, I think it’s special for him, for his family, and for friends like us, who have seen his journey,” Rahul went on.
“So, like I said, very inspiring as well, and hopefully his experience and learning from playing County cricket here will hold him in good stead when he plays Test matches here,” the commentator remarked.