Cricket gave Karun Nair another chance, as the 33-year-old Indian batter featured in the Anderson-Tendulkar Test series between India and England. Overall, his numbers with the bat in his comeback series were not great; however, Karun was a part of some crucial partnerships for India at the top order.
Nair scored 205 runs in eight innings at an average of 25.62 and scored just one half-century. His highest score in the Ander-Tendulakr Trophy was 57.
The Indian batter has now made a revelation about playing the last Test through pain, and remarked that he drew inspiration from the Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.
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Pant inspired me to play the Oval Test with a broken finger, says Karun
Nair featured in four out of the five Test matches between India and England in the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. The batter has now revealed that he played the final Test of the series with a broken finger.
India took on England at the Kennington Oval for the 5th and final Test of the series. Karun Nair, batting at 5, scored a crucial half-century in the first innings and was instrumental in taking India to a respectable first innings total of 224. India eventually went on to win the game by 6 runs.
Karun has now revealed that Rishabh Pant inspired everyone in the dressing room with his determination, and the Indian wicket-keeper was his motivation to play through pain in the final Test.
In an exclusive chat with Revsportz, Karun said, "During the series, I think Rishabh has set a very high standard of what we are supposed to be doing as players. In the fourth Test match, he went out to bat with a broken foot and scored a 50.
"He inspired so many of us in the dressing room and showed the kind of player and person he is by putting the team first. So, it struck me in a way that it did something to me, and thus it became really easy for me to decide what to do for the team."
Pant went on to bat with a broken foot during the first innings of the Fourth Test at Manchester. His determination to do well for his country ignited a fire within the other team members.
India went on to level the series 2-2 at the Oval in a thrilling encounter, defeating England by just 6 runs. The new era of Indian Test cricket seems to have something about them that doesn't know how to give up.
The young side showcased skill, passion, determination, and a never-die attitude, which made everyone believe that the future of Indian cricket is in good hands.
What next for the Indian Test cricket team?
The Indian Test team will return to action in October, when they face West Indies in a two-match series on home soil.