India’s gripping 2-2 Test series against England produced not only memorable performances from stars like Rishabh Pant but also inspiring stories of grit and determination. One such tale belongs to Karun Nair, the middle-order batter who returned to the national side after an eight-year gap.

According to The Times of India, Nair suffered a fractured finger while batting in the second innings of the fifth Test at the Oval. Despite the pain, he chose to fight on, facing 32 deliveries for a gritty 17 runs, including three boundaries. While his effort didn’t alter the game’s result, it underlined his commitment to the team.

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Unfortunately, the injury has ruled him out of the 2025 Duleep Trophy. It’s a cruel blow for one of domestic cricket’s most consistent performers in recent years—Nair piled up 863 runs at an average of 53 for Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha. He was almost certain to feature for Central Zone before the setback forced him into rehabilitation. From next season, he will represent Karnataka, returning to his home state after a stint with Vidarbha.

एक संधी मागितली….आठ वेळा बॅटिंगला आला, पण….#karunnair https://t.co/6xVBu9aJnh

— Lokmat (@lokmat) August 7, 2025

Nair’s career arc has been nothing short of cinematic. Once hailed as a future star after his triple century in 2016, he was dropped in 2017 and admitted feeling “completely broken.” His comeback in England saw him score only 205 runs in the series, with a lone half-century in the first innings at the Oval. Critics questioned his suitability for the No. 3 spot.

Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta told TOI, “His feet don’t move enough to succeed at No. 3. If he’s pushed to No. 6 or 7, there’s more competition—Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, even Axar Patel or Nitish Reddy, depending on conditions.”

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Adding to the pressure, Tamil Nadu’s Sai Sudharsan is vying for the same spot. While Sudharsan didn’t post big scores either, his technique drew praise. Nair’s best chance may come in the upcoming home series against the West Indies from October 2, where he’ll hope to reclaim his place alongside established stars like Rishabh Pant.