Overview

• Nair marked his return precisely 3006 days after his last Test outing following a 303 not out against England in 2016.
• Feeling the pressure in Leeds, he was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the first innings and added just 20 before edging to Chris Woakes.
• Selectors awarded him a spot after he topped the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 779 runs at an average of 389.50.
• His revival began when he left Karnataka in 2022, moved to Vidarbha and refined his technique under coach Vijay Madyalkar.
• With three Tests remaining in the England series, his place in the playing XI is under fresh scrutiny.