Karun Nair's Back to Test Cricket — Sink or Survive

Fans were taken aback by Karun Nair’s return to Test cricket when the England series squad was revealed. After all, comebacks in Indian Test cricket are less often than England winning a Test in Chennai, so it felt like a cricketing miracle. However, England’s bowlers quickly dashed that dream as the excitement grew.

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

Nair’s return innings was characterised more by hesitancy than by purpose. The man who once struck a triple ton is currently fighting for his future in cricket because of multiple reasons. Fans may cease supporting him if he performs poorly once more, and Karun Nair’s back to Test cricket may end rather than begin.

Contents

1 The Basis of Recall — and the Reality Check
2 Batting Spot Blues：Who Could Be Karun Nair’s Replacement?
3 Conclusion

The Basis of Recall — and the Reality Check

Let’s face it, Karun Nair’s back to Test cricket was not unexpected. A limited window was created by injuries to important players and an unreliable middle order; therefore, selectors chose experience over inexperienced young players. Perhaps recollections of his triple-century against England contributed to this second coming, as Nair’s domestic form had been respectable, if not spectacular. After all, his cricket career has been a combination of resilience, redemption, and rebirth so far.

– Duck for Sai Sudharasan.
– Duck for Karun Nair.
One made Debut & One returning to the team after 7 years. pic.twitter.com/7qsXCpEQTi
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 21, 2025

However, it was everything but poetic when he came out to bat at Headingley in the first innings. Playing hesitant strokes and appearing to be pushing too hard to prove a point, Nair only managed a duck in his comeback run. The other middle-order batters managed to take full advantage of the best batting conditions. Nair didn’t. The fairytale twist came to an abrupt end. There are now mutterings of disappointment and impatience mixed in with the commotion surrounding Karun Nair’s back to Test cricket. Once welcoming him back, the spotlight now glares at his shortcomings.

Batting Spot Blues：Who Could Be Karun Nair’s Replacement?

At No. 6, where India has recently experienced its fair share of drama and rotation, Nair is currently placed. The difficulty? It’s a job that might make or break you. Depending on the circumstances of the game, this is where players are supposed to either rebuild the innings or accelerate and take the team from a good to a match-winning total. The squad anticipated Karun Nair would return to Test cricket with a composed, mature presence. However, his unsteady shot selection and obvious nervousness haven’t given him confidence. Furthermore, things aren’t looking good because competition is just around the corner.

1. Dhruv Jurel

Karun Nair’s replacement at the desired batting position is now being discussed more and more now that India has lost the first test. Of these, Dhruv Jurel is the most recognisable, considering the great form he has been in lately. In domestic cricket, he has been hammering the selectors with his truckloads of runs, and he even had a respectable debut series. He is older, more confident with the bat, and has fewer scars from previous mistakes.

2. Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan comes next; he has a strong technique, a great disposition, and has recently shown well in A-team games as well as the international test matches that he has played. In addition to being younger, both possess the vigour and appetite required for Test cricket at this level. Therefore, it won’t be for the lack of skill in the line if Karun Nair’s return to Test cricket ends up being a brief one. The message is clear—perform now or get ready to stand aside—with names like Sarfaraz and Jurel being floated as Karun Nair’s replacement. Unfortunately, when the scoreboard presents a negative image, empathy can only go so far and not help you with a place in one of the best cricketing nations in world cricket.

Conclusion

Performance is more important than sentiment in the cruel world of Indian Test cricket. Time is running short, but Karun Nair’s back to Test cricket was a tale of optimism and second chances. There is a lot of pressure since hungry, successful players like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are being considered as Karun Nair’s replacement if he fails in another game.

His promising comeback may become a final farewell if he were to fail again. Nair is still in the running for the time being, but if he doesn’t deliver, it won’t be for long. Test cricket ultimately remembers runs, not names, and suddenly from a comeback fairytale, it has become a tale of sink or survive for Karun Nair, who deservedly received his second chance from Test cricket.

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