India, Oct. 7 -- In a notable homecoming, Karun Nair has been named in Karnataka's Ranji Trophy squad for their opening match against Saurashtra, starting October 15 in Rajkot, marking his return to the state side after a two-season hiatus. The move comes just weeks after India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar effectively shut the door on Nair's Test career.

The 31-year-old middle-order batter, best remembered for his unbeaten 303 against England in 2016, had switched to Vidarbha last season, where he played a key role in helping the team lift the Ranji Trophy. His strong domestic form kept earned him a comeback to the Indian Test side after eight long years. Nair played four out of India's five Tests in England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Tr...