ENG vs IND 2025: Cricket gave Karun Nair another chance, but he could not capitalise on it: Sanjay Manjrekar

Karun Nair’s return to the Indian Test team was filled with hope and emotional significance, especially for fans who remembered his heartfelt old tweet: “Cricket, give me another chance.” Cricket did give him that second chance during the high-stakes Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series in England. Unfortunately, he couldn't make the most of it. Nair, playing in the middle order, was handed a golden opportunity to revive his international career. However, in the first Test, he scored a duck in the first innings and just 20 in the second while batting at number six. Recognizing his potential, the team management shifted him up the order to number three in the second and third Tests, dropping young talent Sai Sudharsan to make space. But even in that preferred batting slot, Nair struggled to convert his starts into impactful innings, managing scores of 31, 26, 40, and 14 across the two matches.

His inability to post a big score eventually led to his exclusion from the playing XI for the fourth Test in Manchester, with Sai Sudharsan returning to the side. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, while speaking during commentary in the fourth Test, reflected on Nair’s missed opportunity. He recalled Nair’s emotional tweet and said, “It was an emotional story where he said, ‘Cricket, give me another chance.’ Cricket gave him another chance. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it count and, you know, now Sai Sudharsan is making a comeback. It’s good to see Sai Sudharsan back, because I felt that he should have played the second Test as well.”

Manjrekar’s comments echoed the sentiments of many who were rooting for Nair’s comeback. Once celebrated for his triple century in only his third Test in 2016, Nair’s career had since faced a sharp decline. Repeated exclusions, form dips, and inconsistent performances meant that opportunities were rare. So, when this England tour presented another shot at redemption, expectations were high. But cricket is a harsh game, and Nair’s returns simply didn’t justify continued inclusion.

Even Indian captain Shubman Gill, speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth Test, had backed Nair and tried to offer perspective on his poor form. Gill stated, “We feel that Karun is batting well. In the first match, he did not play at his number (at number six). When a player is making a comeback in such a series, it is difficult. But I don’t think there is any problem with his batting.”

Gill further emphasized the challenge of regaining rhythm in international cricket, especially after a long absence. “Sometimes it is also about getting the rhythm. Once you complete your half-century, you can get back to your rhythm and score some big runs. Unfortunately, this has not happened for him yet,” he added. Gill’s defense of Nair showed the dressing room still had belief in his talent and experience, but the unforgiving nature of top-tier cricket meant results were ultimately the deciding factor.

At 33, Karun Nair may not get another opportunity at the Test level, given the stiff competition and the emergence of younger, consistent players like Sai Sudharsan. Yet, his brief return will be remembered for the emotional weight it carried. Cricket did give him a second chance, as he had hoped years ago — but sadly, the fairytale comeback did not materialize. Now, as India looks ahead in the series, the focus shifts back to promising youngsters, while Nair’s future in Indian cricket remains uncertain.