India and Vidarbha batter Karun Nair admitted that he’s dreaming of making his national comeback after his prolific run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. Nair was in imperious form during the recent tournament as he finished as the highest run scorer, accumulating 779 runs from eight innings at a stunning average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04.
He slammed five centuries and a fifty during the tournament and managed to grab the attention of selectors and pundits with his sensational form. Following his remarkable form, Nair’s name was discussed for selection in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, he wasn’t picked in the squad despite having a dream run.
Recently, the 33-year-old revealed how the hunger to make his team India comeback keeps him motivated to perform well.
“Obviously, the possibility of an India comeback has to be on your mind. If you want to play for the country, you have to keep dreaming. There are these thoughts and dreams in the head but that’s just motivation,” Nair told Hindustan Times.
While announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy, chief selector Ajit Agarkar also revealed that the selectors did discuss Nair’s performances but said that it’s difficult to find a place in the team at the moment. However, he mentioned that he will kept as a backup if someone loses form or gets injured during the Champions Trophy.
“I mean, those are really special performances and I mean someone who averages about 700+, 750 + or something, we did have a chat, no doubt about it, when those kind of performances happen. At the moment, to find a spot in this team is very difficult. Look at the guys who have been picked. All average well in excess of mid-40s. Unfortunately, you can’t fit everyone in a squad of 15. But those performances certainly make you take notice. If there is a loss of form (for a player) or injuries, there’s certainly going to be a conversation around him,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
Nair made his India debut against England in 2016 and entered the record books by becoming just the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in his third Test. However, he failed to perform consistently in his next three Tests and ended up losing his place in the team after the England tour of 2018. Nair has played six Tests in his career and scored 374 runs at an average of 62.33 with one hundred to his name. Apart from that, he’s also played two ODIs and scored 46 runs at an average of 23.
