Karun Nair has been in sensational form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, making a huge impact with his bat.

The 33-year-old, who has been out of contention for India selection for years, is currently the highest run-scorer in the tournament with a staggering 664 runs in just six matches.

His remarkable consistency is highlighted by the fact that he has yet to be dismissed in the competition, having scored five centuries, including several significant innings like 112*, 163*, and 122* and an average of 664.

Nair made his debut for India in 2016, after impressing in domestic cricket, with the highlight of his career being a historic triple century in his third Test match against England. However, despite this impressive feat, Nair was dropped from the Indian team after just six Test matches, and his last appearance was in 2017 against Australia. Since then, he has largely remained out of the national selectors' radar.

However, with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, reports suggest that Nair's consistent performances have caught the attention of the selectors once again. If selected, his presence could significantly strengthen India's middle order, especially given Virat Kohli's struggles with the bat over the past year. Nair's brilliant run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has scored several centuries without getting out, has made him one of the standout performers in List A cricket. His total of 664 runs without being dismissed is the highest in the history of the tournament, making him a strong contender for a potential comeback to the Indian team.

The 33-year-old faced a tough phase after being dropped from the Indian team following his memorable triple century in 2016. For several months, he struggled with being sidelined and not being considered for any format, leading him to travel long distances daily for net sessions. In 2022, he put out an emotional tweet, asking for a second chance from the sport he loves the most. It was a tough period for him, but he chose to move on, focusing on improving his skills and mindset.

"It was an emotional moment when I put that tweet," Nair told the Indian Express.

"For six-seven months, when I didn't play any cricket, all I did was travel three hours a day just to have a net session. I had no other option. I wasn't considered for any format and I was really emotional at that point of time. I had to move on and work on myself. Moving on wasn't easy, I needed a couple of months to get over it and then start practicing my skills and mindset. I would say, I was just preparing myself so that when I got another opportunity, I was not going to give anyone an excuse to drop me. For that, I needed to score runs and be consistent. So I just worked hard to get that back in my game," he further added.

Nair's form and consistency make him a solid choice for India, especially if the team is considering alternatives to Kohli. His ability to anchor the innings and convert starts into big scores could provide India with the depth and stability they need in the middle order for future international competitions.