Karun Nair forced his way back into Team India on the back of a solid performance in domestic cricket. Karun, who last played for India in 2017, was dropped after the England tour in 2018. He stayed on the bench in the series. His performance dipped in the coming years and he lost his place in the state team in 2022.

Karun switched his team before the next season and moved from Karnataka to Vidarbha. He enjoyed a dream run in the 2024/25 season and was rewarded by the Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee.

The right-handed batsman scored 863 runs at an average of 53.93 in 9 Ranji Trophy matches. Vidarbha won the Ranji Trophy with a win over Kerala on the basis of a first-innings lead.

Karun was unstoppable in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and piled up 779 runs at an average of 389.50. His tally included 5 centuries and a half-century. From being dropped from his state team at one stage to making an India comeback, Karun is an inspiration for many out-of-favour players eyeing a national comeback.

Karun, who looks set to play his first Test after more than 8 years, has made a shocking reveal and said that he was told to retire for money. Speaking to Daily Mail, he revealed that a prominent Indian cricketer suggested he quit Indian cricket and play overseas leagues to make himself financially secure.

"I still remember a prominent Indian cricketer calling me and saying you need to retire because the money in these leagues would make me secure. It would have been easy to do, but I knew that regardless of the money, I would be kicking myself for giving up that easily," Karun revealed.

"I was never going to give up on playing for India again. That was just over two years ago and look where we are now. It’s crazy but deep down, I knew I was good enough."

Karun, if given a chance, is likely to bat at number 3 or 4. India captain Shubman Gill has been batting at number 3 since 2023 but he could move down to number 4 to fill the void created by Virat Kohli's retirement. The first Test of the five-match series kicks off on June 20.

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