Karun Nair returns to Karnataka after three years

New Delhi

Indian cricketer Karun Nair is set to return to Karnataka for the 2025–26 domestic season after a three-year gap. Nair, currently touring England with the Indian team, received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Vidarbha, clearing the way for his comeback, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Nair had moved to Vidarbha and played there for the last two seasons. His performances were impressive, helping Vidarbha win the Ranji Trophy. He scored 863 runs in 16 innings, averaging 53.93, with four centuries—including a match-winning ton in the final against Kerala.

He also shone in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 779 runs in eight innings. He smashed five consecutive centuries and set a record by scoring 542 runs without being dismissed. Under his captaincy, Vidarbha finished as runners-up in the tournament.

These performances brought Nair back into the Indian Test squad after eight years. However, his recent form in England has been disappointing. After a double century for India A in a warm-up match, he managed only modest scores in the Test series: 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14.

With Nair’s return, Karnataka’s team selection may get tricky. Players like R Smaran, KL Shrijith, and KV Aneesh had excellent 2024–25 seasons. Smaran scored 516 runs in ten innings, while Shrijith scored a century on debut. Mayank Agarwal is expected to remain captain, and Devdutt Padikkal will likely be a regular.

Karnataka’s selectors will now face the challenge of fitting all their talented batters into the playing XI.