Ambati Rayudu Calls for Karun Nair Addition in Test Squad vs England

Retired Team India cricketer Ambati Rayudu made a case for the inclusion of 33-year-old Karun Nair in the Test squad against England for 2025. The veteran Rayudu believes Nair has the goods required to deliver impressive performance for the Men in Blue when they tour England between June and July 2025.

Rayudu Drums Support for Karun Nair Team India Return

Nair is the only Test cricketer to hit a triple century after Virender Sehwag and has consistently shown his desire to return as an international in recent years. His remarkable red-ball performance for Vidarbha also strengthens his case after bagging 1,553 runs since 2023. Nair was also instrumental to the domestic side’s success at the Ranji Trophy 2025.

Many fans believe these performances are enough to see Nair’s reintroduction into India’s Test squad in few weeks.

Karun Nair is persistent – Rayudu

Rayudu believes Nair is persistent and his approach to games is a major reason why he should return to the international team:

“It’s sheer persistence because what you go through when things don’t go well for you in India is not easy to withstand. A lot of people have gone through that, and very few have come out of that with flying colours and Karun Nair is one,” he said.  

Rayudu highlights Nair’s resurgence through India’s domestic system to make a comeback as a remarkable mental attribute that supports calls for his selection to India’s Test team:

“…once you get lost in the domestic system in India, it is very, very tough to make a comeback. Especially because mentally you’re always dragged down by so many things around you, and a lot of people will write you off,” Rayudu added.

Karun should be in India’s Test squad to England – Rayudu

The veteran added that Karun’s desire to return is clear from his work ethic and believes the star batter should be on the flight to England:

He has never left, learning, never left working hard, never, left the belief that he could make a comeback, especially in Test cricket. I would sincerely hope and love that he goes to England. He’s on that flight, uh, in the Test series,” Rayudu concluded.

Likely Reasons Why Ambati Rayudu is Calling for Nair’s Inclusion to India’s Test Squad

Batting inconsistencies at Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/5

Team India had to grapple with repeat horrendous batting performances at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal shone through with individual brilliance Down Under; however, veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failed to show up as openers or middle-order hitters.

Rayudu’s call for Nair’s inclusion could be to offer the team added options to deliver stable batting performances when India tour England from June 2025.

Nair’s wealth of experience

Karun Nair knows everything about performing at the top level and continues to build his profile with another shot at cricket stardom. His experience across formats could be essential to India’s likely positive run away from home against England.

Rayudu obviously desires a great result from India vs England like the 4 – 1 series win in 2024. Nair’s place in the team could boost the chances of this team securing a positive outcome when the series rounds off in late July.  

Nair Speaks on His Resurgence

Karun Nair was on the sidelines for some time before his recent big break in the IPL. He attributes his form to experience and a desire to return to the top level:

“Quite honestly, I had the confidence that I’ve played before and I know how it’s going to be, and it’s nothing different, and I’m not going to be facing anything new,” he said to the press.

India in England 2025 Test Match Schedule

India will tour five (5) English cities from the 20th of June to 31st of July, 2025. Team India’s squad will face their hosts at Leeds, Birmingham, Lord’s (west London), Manchester, and The Oval in South London. See other details on each match’s schedule below: