Karun Nair's Childhood Coach Feels West Indies Test Series Snub Will Make Him Hungrier

Karun Nair’s name was missing from India’s Test squad for the home series vs West Indies when it was announced. The 33-year-old, who made a comeback after eight years against England, was left out. This is a setback as Nair had only just gotten his career back on track. But sadly the management felt he had not done enough in England to deserve a place in the squad.

So is Nair’s Test career done and dusted. Well, as far as his childhood coach is concerned, this snub will make him more hungry and increase his determination to do well and make a comeback. Vijay Madyalkar spoke to India Today and told them that Nair’s Test career was not over yet. He also spoke on how the tough English conditions made it tough for him.

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Karun Nair Deserved Another Chance, Feels Childhood Coach

“I felt very bad for him. He was deserving one more chance, that is what I feel. But, again, it is the selectors’ call. They think in a different way,” he said.

“He got a chance in tough conditions in England. In those conditions, what best one can do, he did it. He scored all those runs in India in the lead-up to his comeback. I think they should have given him a chance in India. He is best-suited for Indian conditions, as of now. In England, the conditions were not always easy for batting,” he added.

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Karun Nair’s Poor Comeback Series

“He was comfortable playing there. He had played two seasons in the England county league. The only thing was that a big hundred didn’t come. But, he was involved in crucial partnerships throughout the series,” he went on to say.

“He will have more hunger now. When you go through highs and lows every season, you mature a lot as a cricketer. So, it becomes easier for him to prepare well and show that hunger. He will only become stronger. He has got that in him. He is raring to go again,” he continued.

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Karun Nair’s Race Against Time

“Only one thing I would say: keep scoring runs whenever you play. That’s the only thing you can control. The rest is not in your control. He has already proved he can make a comeback. He has that character. Many players in the past have done that — comeback three or four times. Someone like Vinod Kambli is an example. He has got the hunger and that’s the most important thing. He will keep scoring runs. I don’t see any other way,” he concluded.

The right-handed Nair turns 34 this year so time is not on his side. In 10 Tests, he has batted 15 times with one not-out. He’s made 579 runs along with one 100 and one 50. His top score is 303 not out vs England in 2016. After facing Australia in 2017, he was away from the Test scene until England in 2025. It remains to be seen when and if he ever makes it back to the red-ball format. It’s not impossible but it will be very difficult.