Karun Nair, the Indian batter who has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, is currently engaged in a rigorous rebuilding process. However, he remains focused on the present, recognizing that dwelling on the future can hinder his progress.
Despite not playing for India in seven years, Nair has demonstrated glimpses of his former brilliance in recent times. He has amassed runs for Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Northamptonshire in English county cricket. “It’s about preparing for the grind and focusing on the next game. I’m not looking too far ahead because it can lead to overthinking,” Nair explained.
Nair’s resurgence began with his stint at Northamptonshire in early 2023, where he scored 249 runs in three matches, including a century against Surrey. This year, he has accumulated 487 runs in seven matches, including a century against Glamorgan. While these numbers may not be extraordinary, they have instilled confidence in a batsman who had been struggling to find his purpose.
“Playing in England with a different ball has taught me a lot about myself as a batsman. I’ve learned to find ways to score runs and believe in myself,” Nair said.
His move to Vidarbha from Karnataka during the last domestic season proved to be a turning point. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities in his home state, Nair found a new lease of life in Vidarbha. He scored 690 runs in 10 matches, including two centuries, helping his team reach the Ranji Trophy semifinals.
“I’m grateful to Vidarbha for giving me the opportunity to play first-class cricket. My aim is to improve on last year and go one step further,” Nair stated.
Despite missing a full season of first-class cricket, Nair has found a positive in the adversity. “It taught me to value each game and practice harder. That non-playing season has made me stronger and more determined,” he said.
Nair’s recent performances have rekindled his dream of representing India again. “Everyone plays this game to represent their country. My only aim now is to play Test cricket again. I know I’m good enough,” he asserted.
Currently, Nair is focused on winning the ongoing KSCA Maharaja T20 with the Mysore Warriors. “We’ve qualified for the semis, which was our goal from the start,” he said.
