"It was an up-and-down series…” - Karun Nair reflects on England tour

Karun Nair made a comeback to the Indian Test team after eight years, playing four matches in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.

A relatively new-look India, under new Test captain Shubman Gill, showed grit and determination to draw the five-match series 2-2.

However, Nair could not meet fans’ expectations, leaving many disappointed. He got starts in most innings but failed to turn them into big scores. In eight innings, he scored 205 runs at an average of 25.62, with only one fifty.

That fifty — a fighting 57 — came in the first innings of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Nair admitted he was unhappy that he could not turn it into a century.

"I was disappointed at not being able to convert the start at The Oval into a century," he said. "But looking back, it was quite important to grind my way on that first day with the team in a tricky position. I'd done well there previously; I'd gotten a 150 for Northants against Surrey. The nerves were there, but I was feeling good. I was hoping to convert, which I couldn't."

Nair played the first three Tests before being dropped for the fourth. He returned to the XI for the final Test at The Oval. Reflecting on the tour, he called it an “up-and-down series.”

"It was an up-and-down series in that sense, and 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," Nair further added.

Nair earned his call-up to the India squad after scoring heavily in domestic cricket across all three formats for the last few years. Even before the England series, he looked in good touch during the warm-up matches. 

Expectations were high, but unfortunately, the 33-year-old could not live up to them. Next, Nair will lead Mysore Warriors in the Maharaja Trophy T20. However, he will not feature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

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