Karun Nair is set to experience a full-circle moment as he prepares to return to Test cricket after eight long years, with a likely appearance in the upcoming series against England.

After making his debut in 2016, following which he made his mark with a whopping 300 in Chennai, Nair was unable to get an extended run in the side, with his last Test being played against Australia at Dharamsala in 2017.

Having delivered consistent performances on the domestic circuit, and with the recent retirements of Test stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Nair has climbed the pecking order and now looks poised to feature in the playing XI.

In an interview with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Nair spoke about his determination to make a comeback. He admitted to being desperate to return to the national side and said he had done everything within his power to turn that ambition into reality.

“My first thought when I woke up was that I wanted to play Test cricket. I want to play for India again. That’s probably what kept me going and kept me hungry. The driving force go to training every day, go to practise every day. I had a goal of wanting to play Test cricket again, and I was always looking at playing test cricket, and every day, every morning, I used to wake up thinking, what I should do to achieve that goal,” Nair shared.

SENSE OF BELONGING IN THE INDIAN TEAM

Named in India’s squad for the Test tour of England, the 32-year-old expressed his joy and relief at earning a recall. He said he now feels confident about belonging at the highest level and is thrilled to be back in the Indian dressing room.

“Feeling honoured to wear this jersey and honoured to be representing my country. When I saw everyone for the first time, that’s when I felt that I was finally in the team. Till then, it was like a wait for me to kind of start feeling like I’d made it again. It’s been a few years,” he commented.

He mentioned how it was a full-circle moment in his career, considering that he was part of the squad for the 2018 tour but did not get a game. Now he makes his return to where he left and is looking to enjoy his time in whites.

“You know, getting that first session under the belt was a relief. I’m grateful to get that opportunity. Life has come full circle because I went out of the team in England, and now I’m coming back into the team in England, so it’s been a while, and I’m trying to embrace that,” he mentioned.

MORE FORGIVING OF MYSELF: KARUN NAIR

Reflecting on his journey, Nair called it a full-circle moment-having been part of the squad for the 2018 England tour without getting a game. Now, as he returns to the same shores, he hopes to make the most of this opportunity and enjoy every moment in Indian whites.

“Mentally, I’m more patient, and I’m more forgiving of myself. I’ve learned to enjoy small things a little more, you know, also not trying to be someone that I’m not. I’ve tried to keep it very simple,” he commented.

“Always think about the positive, have certain goals in mind, visualise things and have real belief in what you visualise,” he added.

The 33-year-old has already impressed in the practice matches with a hefty double-hundred in the first game between India A and the England Lions. Now whether he gets to start remains to be seen, and if he does, his position in the side will also be a big talking point.