New Delhi: Making a long-awaited return to India’s Test side, Karun Nair marked his comeback with a gritty unbeaten half-century on the rain-hit opening day of the fifth Test against England at The Oval. India reached 221/6 at stumps, thanks in large part to a valuable 51-run stand between Nair (52*) and Washington Sundar (19*), after the team was struggling at 153/6.
India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, lauded Nair’s temperament and adaptability in a post-day press conference. “He has handled the pressure of returning to Test cricket after a long gap extremely well,” said Doeschate. “He’s batted at No. 6, then No. 3, and now No. 5—and has never complained. He just wants to contribute to the team.”
Nair’s half-century came after a series of promising, yet unconverted, starts earlier in the series. He has now scored 183 runs in four Tests across seven innings at an average of 30.50. His knock at The Oval was his first 50+ score since his memorable unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in 2016—nearly 8.5 years ago, spanning 3,147 days.
Doeschate also praised Nair’s ability to absorb pressure and play across different batting positions. “He summed up the conditions well. Six is a tough spot to bat, but five suited him today. He’s a versatile player, and his mindset is always about what’s best for the team.”
Earlier in the innings, India faced early setbacks as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) and KL Rahul (14) fell cheaply. Skipper Shubman Gill was run out for 21, and debutant Sudharsan contributed a steady 38. Ravindra Jadeja (9) and Dhruv Jurel (19) failed to capitalise on their starts, leaving India in trouble before Nair and Sundar’s rescue act.
England’s Gus Atkinson (2/31) and Josh Tongue (2/47) were the pick of the bowlers, striking at regular intervals on a helpful pitch.
This is Nair’s 10th Test match for India and only his second 50+ score, taking his overall Test tally to 557 runs, including one triple century and one half-century.
As India look to build a substantial first-innings total on Day 2, all eyes will be on Nair to convert his gritty fifty into a match-defining innings.
