Karun Nair earns redemption with India A berth for England series

Karun Nair’s sensational 2024-25 domestic campaign has earned him a well-deserved place in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England, as announced on Friday.

Representing Vidarbha, Nair enjoyed a prolific Ranji Trophy season, amassing 863 runs across 16 innings at an average of 53.93. His tally included four centuries and two fifties, with a highest score of 135 coming in the tournament final, which Vidarbha won.

Nair’s most eye-catching exploits, however, came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he dominated the one-day format. He emerged as the tournament`s top-scorer, piling up 779 runs in just eight innings at a staggering average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04. His incredible run included five centuries and a highest score of 163*. Though his side lost the final to his former team Karnataka, Nair’s role in the campaign was pivotal.

In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Nair continued his purple patch in the T20 format as well, scoring 255 runs at a strike rate of 177.08 and an average of 42.50, notching up three fifties with a best of 77. His team bowed out in the quarterfinals.

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India A’s squad for tour of England announced.

All The Details 🔽

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 16, 2025

This revival in domestic cricket has rekindled the possibility of an India comeback for Nair, who last donned the national jersey in 2017. He remains India`s only Test triple centurion after Virender Sehwag.

India A’s tour to England includes two first-class matches against England Lions, scheduled at Canterbury and Northampton on May 30 and June 6, respectively, followed by an intra-squad clash against Team India at Beckenham on June 13.

The squad will be captained by Bengal stalwart Abhimanyu Easwaran, who boasts 7,674 runs from 101 first-class matches at an average of 48.87, including 27 centuries. Despite his underwhelming Australia tour last year, he remains a cornerstone of the domestic circuit.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join the squad ahead of the second match. Both are in stellar form for Gujarat Titans, scoring 508 and 509 runs respectively in IPL 2025.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, India`s regular Test opener since 2023, is also part of the squad. With 473 IPL runs this season and 391 in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he remains a key prospect.

The squad also features Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, all of whom impressed in the ongoing WTC cycle. Nitish’s debut hundred at the MCG and Jurel’s consistency have been standout performances. Ishan Kishan joins as the backup wicketkeeper, having made his Test return after re-entering BCCI’s central contract list this year.

All-rounder Shardul Thakur, who had a brilliant Ranji season (505 runs and 35 wickets), makes his return. Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad will look to make the most of the opportunity.

Among bowlers, Akash Deep (15 Test wickets), Mukesh Kumar, Anshul Kambhoj, Khaleel Ahmed, and Tushar Deshpande will lead the pace attack. Spin-bowling all-rounders Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, and Harsh Dubey, who claimed 69 wickets and scored 476 runs in Ranji, complete the spin department.

Harshit Rana, a consistent performer for KKR with 15 wickets in IPL 2025, also features, adding depth to a promising squad.

Ind A vs Eng A: India A squad

Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey

This article first appeared on Mid Day