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India's Karun Nair walks after being caught during day four of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
India batter Karun Nair, fresh off his return to the national team after 8 years with the recent England tour, shared an in-depth account on how skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir functioned inside the camp. India clawed back in the series when they were 2-1 down, winning the last match at the Oval and tying the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
“The way Shubman held everyone together and the encouragement he gave was great to see. He was crystal clear with his communication from the beginning. To achieve what he did as a batter, while also leading the team…as a leader, he exemplified the spirit of Gauti bhai,” he said to ESPNCricinfo.
“Right at the very beginning, Gauti bhai said, he doesn’t want us to look at it as a team in transition. He didn’t want us to feel that way. The first message we got was ‘this isn’t a young team, this is a gun team and everyone must feel it from within,” the Karnataka batter added.
Nair, who made 205 runs from four Tests at an average of 25 with one fifty, also reflected on his comeback, saying he was disappointed on not convert his half century at the Oval to a bigger score.
“I was disappointed at not being able to convert the start at The Oval (where he made a 57) into a century. But it was quite important to grind my way on that first day with the team in a tricky position. The nerves were there, but I was feeling good. I was hoping to convert, which I couldn’t,” Nair said.
“I did reflect a lot. But it’s also important to let go of what has happened and look forward to what I need to do in the next few months. It’s about keeping my focus levels up and making sure I go on and make big scores, irrespective of the level I’m playing at,” he added.
English (US) ·