KL Rahul sends a heartfelt message to Karun Nair after making his comeback to the Eng vs Ind 2025 test [Watch]

Indian wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul praised former Karnataka teammate Karnnaia for making a comeback to the Indian team in Test cricket eight years later. The 33-year-old was called Nia Journey, supporting him to deliver in the UK in a five-match Test series due to his experience playing county cricket in the UK.

The duo grew up together, played cricket for age groups and recently represented the same IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals, for the 2025 season.

In a video posted by BCCI, KL Rahul said:

“I knew him for a very long time, but the months he was playing cricket here in the UK and how difficult it was and how he was and now he can do it all and return to the Indian team.”

“I think it’s special to him, to his family, and to friends like us who saw his journey. So, I say that it’s very exciting, and hopefully his experience and his learning from playing county cricket here will embrace him as he plays a test match here,” he added.

Karun Nair scored 487 runs in 11 innings during the county stint against Northampton in the 2024 edition of County Championship Division 2. In the first unofficial test, he recently destroyed the 204 for India A against the Indian Lion.

It is worth noting that Nair broke through the domestic season last year and won the 9th century in the format. In the Ranji Trophy, the 33-year-old Trophy earned 863 runs in nine matches (16 innings) with averaging 53.93 with four tons and two half-century help. Nair was equally great in the Vijay Hazare trophy, earning 779 runs in eight innings, averaging 389.50 with the help of the fifth century.

In FC Cricket, Karun Nair scored 8,470 runs in 186 innings on average with a 49.82 average, including 24 tons and 36 half-century.

“A truly special feeling” – Karun Nia responds to his comeback and tests cricket

Karun Nair further expressed his gratitude following his comeback to test cricket after a long gap. The right-hander is keen to express the surreal feeling of playing again for Team India for the first time since 2017. In the same video posted by BCCI, Nair said.

“It feels really special. I’m so grateful and very fortunate to have this opportunity again. I’m really looking forward to seizing it with both hands.”

“It’s not really certain! I think I have to experience feeling myself, and you know, just go there and feel it for yourself. And I’m sure there are a lot of emotions.

Karun Nair became the second Indian batsman to hit the Test in the third century, after Virender Sehwag, when he destroyed an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in December 2016.