Nair’s long road back to India team, via Northampton

Would you be interested in signing a longer-term deal with us as an overseas professional to play in all formats if you don’t think you’re going to play for India again?

In 2023, John Sadler, the then-head coach of Northamptonshire County cricket Club, inquired directly to Karun Nair.

Nair retorted confidently, saying, “I want to play for India, and I’m going to do everything in my power to play Test cricket once more.” I won’t even think about anything else until that dream is over.

Nair, 33, has been named in the India Test squad for the upcoming series against England, which begins in Leeds on Friday. He last played for India in 2017.

In his third Test debut, Nair became the only other Indian cricketer to record a triple century with a 303-run effort, making headlines in 2016.

He was replaced in the India side after only three more Test appearances. His international ambitions eventually started to wane. It was even conceivable that he was kicked out of Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy squad in 2022, which was probably his lowest point in a cricket career.

He was extremely upset after missing the entire domestic season. What should I do, he asked, and he came to me. Vijayakumar Madyalkar, Nair’s long-time coach, “I will do whatever it takes.”

I didn’t have to reveal anything about his mindset because he is such a smart cricketer. I didn’t have to advise him to improve his fitness either because he is also quite fit. Therefore, he only needed to improve his abilities.

Nair began taking advice from a coach who has known him since he was a child, and he took the initiative to change his fortunes by taking two hours each alternate day from his home in Bangalore to Madyalkar’s academy.

He would never leave the net until he was completely satisfied. He used to practice every shot in the book, rolling around 600 balls each time. He worked so hard, and he “wanted to bat for hours straight,” Madyalkar says.

Nair wanted to return to the game after months of struggle because there was no cricket to play in India. So he made the decision to play for Northamptonshire in England as an overseas player.

Sadler, who had a close relationship with him at Northants, says, “Overseas players who come here with a point … usually get the best out of them.” “Karun hadn’t played in a while, but he had a triple hundred in the Test.” He had a strong desire to impact.

Nair, who is renowned for his calm demeanor, jumped right away into the position Northants gave him.

Sadler recalls that “the thing that stood out was how composed and composed he was.” The pitch was green, swinging, and nipping in his first game at Edgbaston.

Some of our batsmen were experiencing difficult conditions and falling wickets. He entered, and he seemed incredibly calm. He executed the ball extremely well. And then he launched an attack when it was appropriate. So his game just appeared to be in perfect order.

The right-handed batter had a winning 150 runs in three games, which prompted Northamptonshire to resign him for the following year.

He increased his bat with 487 runs in seven games, including a double century, in 2024. But the differences weren’t just in the performances.

His attitude was amazing. He put in a lot of effort and professionalism. He was present throughout every training session, and he never gave up on a batting chance, according to Sadler, who is now assistant coach at Yorkshire.

Nair had also added runs to his domestic cricket output, but his time with Northants helped him firmly reclaim his place in the national rankings.

County cricket is “unstoppable, game after game with little rest,” they say. You play with actual pitches, “says Sadler,” Sadler. It may be flat, turn, green, or overcast, depending on the season.

He made two appearances for us, and I believe he got to play and put his abilities under strain in all those various circumstances. He really appreciated it.

Even Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, acknowledged the significance of Nair’s return through county cricket.

“Having the Karun experience is always beneficial. He excelled playing county cricket there. At India’s pre-tour news conference in Mumbai on June 5, Gambhir stated that his experience would be useful.

Nair is anticipated to start the first Test at Headingley with India’s middle order after suffering a 204-run knock earlier this month against the England Lions in Canterbury.

For one, his coach is confident.

Karun will definitely play the opening contest because he has more playing experience, Madyalkar says. He will get a hundred.