Karun Nair’s long-awaited comeback to competitive cricket has hit another roadblock. The India batter has been denied fitness clearance by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, keeping him out of the ongoing KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy 2025 despite being named in the Mysore Warriors squad.
According to reports, the decision stems from a finger injury Nair sustained during the fifth Test against England earlier this year. The 33-year-old was struck by a rising delivery at The Oval, resulting in a minor fracture. Though the injury seemed manageable initially, medical scans advised caution, leading the BCCI to hold him back from competitive cricket until he is fully fit.
A Tough Break for Nair
For Karun Nair, the timing couldn’t have been worse. After a seven-year gap from the Indian Test side, he made his return in the England series, scoring 205 runs in eight innings, including a gritty half-century at The Oval. While not spectacular, it hinted at a player determined to reclaim his spot in India’s middle order.
With key home series against West Indies and South Africa coming up, the BCCI seems intent on protecting the experienced batter from aggravating his injury – a precautionary stance aimed at keeping him in contention for national duty.
Impact on Maharaja Trophy and Duleep Trophy
Nair’s absence is a major setback for the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy, where he has been a dominant force. He topped the run charts in both 2023 (532 runs) and 2024 (560 runs), even setting the record for the highest individual score in the tournament’s history. His consistency was central to Mysore Warriors’ title-winning campaign last season.
Central Zone, too, will feel his absence in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, where Nair was expected to play a pivotal role. For now, the Karnataka batter is undergoing rehabilitation in Bengaluru and will only return once the BCCI medical team clears him for competitive action.
What’s Next for Nair?
Nair remains hopeful of a swift return. Speaking to Insidesport recently, he expressed his excitement about playing for Mysore but acknowledged the unique challenge of sitting out. “To have the tournament in Mysuru and being a part of Mysuru is really special. We look forward to getting all the support we can,” he said.
While fans wait to see him back on the field, the BCCI’s cautious approach suggests they are prioritising his long-term fitness over short-term gains – a decision that could prove vital if Nair is to cement his place in India’s Test setup once more.
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