Karun Nair’s much-talked about return to the Test side after 8 years ended in a damp squib as the batter was sent back for a duck after England vice captain Ollie Pope pulled off a stunner at Leeds on Day 2 of the 1st Test. As a result of Nair’s dismissal, India lost two quick wickets on Day 2 with skipper Shubman Gill also back in the hut after scoring 147 runs.
Karun Nair’s long-awaited return to India’s Test side—after a whopping 3,011 days (over eight years)—ended in a heartbreaking instant: he was dismissed for a four-ball duck by England captain Ben Stokes, on the final delivery of the 105th over in the first Test at Headingley. That attempt to drive was caught brilliantly by Ollie Pope at short cover, effectively crowning the comeback with an epic stunner rather than a fairytale innings .
Here’s how the drama unfolded:
A crushing moment: Nair’s dismissal arrived just as India were looking to build on a strong 447/5 earlier in the day. His return, meant to be a major boost, was cut short in four deliveries .
Ollie Pope’s brilliance: The catch—mid-air, to the left, reminiscent of a goalkeeper’s leap—grabbed headlines globally as a sporting highlight .
Context around the innings: Shubman Gill had already posted 147, and Rishabh Pant went on to score 134. But Nair’s duck meant India lost momentum, finishing the session at 454/7 at lunch .
Despite the early setback, Nair could still have a chance to redeem himself in the second innings—but the sting of that flash comeback will linger.
Overall, what was expected to be a redemptive return has instead turned into one of the most stark comebacks in recent cricketing memory.
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