Irfan Pathan had a touching reaction to Karun Nair’s inclusion in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England.
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Karun Nair’s Redemption Story: From Omission to India A Call-Up
Karun Nair’s remarkable domestic form in the 2024–25 season has earned him a spot in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England. After years of being on the fringes, the 33-year-old batter’s consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy have finally been rewarded by the BCCI’s Men’s Selection Committee, which named an 18-member squad led by Abhimanyu Easwaran.
Nair’s resurgence has been nothing short of inspiring. Two years ago, he publicly appealed to cricket for “one more chance” after being left out of Karnataka’s squad. That chance came with Vidarbha, where he dominated, amassing 863 runs in nine matches—finishing as the second-highest scorer and helping his team lift the Ranji Trophy title. His white-ball form was equally explosive, scoring 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at a staggering average of 389.50.
Reacting to Nair’s selection, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan revisited the batter’s emotional 2022 post, writing: “Karun Nair getting selected for India A is clear indication that Dear cricket will give him another chance to play for team India again.”
Karun Nair getting selected for India A is clear indication that “Dear cricket will him give him another chance to play for team India again” 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 16, 2025
Karun Nair’s experience in County Cricket
Karun Nair’s India A call-up comes with the added advantage of familiarity with English conditions, thanks to his recent County Championship stints. Representing Northamptonshire in 2023 and 2024, Nair showcased his prowess with the red ball, scoring 736 runs in 10 matches at an impressive average of 56.61. His stint included two centuries—highlighted by an unbeaten 202 against Glamorgan—and four fifties, underlining his readiness for the upcoming England challenge.
The India A tour of England begins with a four-day match against the England Lions on May 30 in Canterbury, followed by another clash on June 6 in Northampton. Notably, the India A team will also face the senior Indian team in a four-day fixture from June 13. This match is crucial as it takes place just a week before the first Test between India and England in Leeds.
