Indian batter Karun Nair’s impressive half-century against England in the crucial fifth Test wasn’t just luck; it was the result of extensive preparation, with England legend Kevin Pietersen revealing their rigorous training sessions during the IPL.
Nair’s Crucial Knock in England
Karun Nair played a vital role in stabilising India’s innings on Day 1 of the fifth Test against England. Despite India losing wickets rapidly, Nair stood firm, scoring his only half-century outside of his memorable 303 not out from 2016.
His resilience was a highlight for India amidst a challenging period. Although he ultimately fell for 57 on Day 2, his initial contribution provided much-needed stability.
Pietersen’s Insightful Revelation
Kevin Pietersen, who served as mentor for Delhi Capitals during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), shared the secret behind Nair’s improved performance. Pietersen revealed that Nair dedicated countless hours to discussing and practicing batting techniques specifically for English conditions.
“So happy for Karun and how he’s stabilised India’s batting yesterday,” Pietersen posted on X. He praised Nair’s work ethic and expressed hopes for a century, highlighting the deep conversations they had about playing in England.
A Season of Form: IPL and Domestic Cricket
Nair’s dedication during the IPL aligns with his strong domestic season. Playing for Delhi Capitals, he scored 198 runs at an impressive strike rate of 172.17 in IPL 2025.
This IPL form followed a stellar Ranji Trophy campaign, where he helped Vidarbha clinch the title. He also had a phenomenal Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashing 779 runs in nine matches, averaging 389.50 with five centuries and one half-century.
IPL: The Unofficial Test Prep Ground
Nair’s story isn’t unique. The IPL has increasingly become a covert training ground for Indian players looking to sharpen their skills for Test cricket, especially for challenging overseas tours like England.
Several other Indian cricketers used their IPL stints to learn from international stars. Yashasvi Jaiswal, for instance, spent extensive time with England captain Joe Root at Rajasthan Royals, earning him the nickname ‘Joeswal’.
Similarly, Akash Deep sought advice from Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood at Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Nitish Reddy picked the brain of Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins on how to take wickets in England. Even Kuldeep Yadav made the most of Kevin Pietersen’s presence at Delhi Capitals, leveraging the opportunity to improve his game.
- Karun Nair’s recent Test half-century was a result of dedicated preparation with Kevin Pietersen during the IPL.
- Pietersen, Delhi Capitals’ mentor, revealed they spent “many hours talking about batting in England.”
- Nair’s IPL form and strong domestic season (Ranji, Vijay Hazare) show a consistent run of form.
- The IPL is increasingly used by Indian players to train and gain insights from international veterans for Test match success.
This trend highlights the evolving role of the IPL, not just as a T20 spectacle, but as a crucial platform for skill development and strategic preparation for international cricket.
