‘Silence of…’: Star India cricketer’s cryptic post goes VIRAL amid India’s batting collapse

Star India cricketer Karun Nair responded to India's recent batting collapse with a cryptic message on X, hinting that certain conditions "sting" when you're not playing.

New Delhi: Middle-order batter Karun Nair shared a cryptic message after India suffered a batting collapse in the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Without naming anything directly, he hinted poetically about the ‘sting’ of not featuring in ‘certain conditions’ that he knows very well.

India were all out for 201/10 in the first innings in Guwahati. They made a solid start in the 489-run chase, with a 65-run opening stand, but the innings fell apart after the second wicket at 95. In the next 11 overs, India collapsed, losing six wickets for just 27 runs. A 72-run stand between tailender Kuldeep Yadav and all-rounder Washington Sundar then brought some temporary stability.

“Some conditions carry a feel you know by heart — and the silence of not being out there adds its own sting,” Nair wrote on X.

Some conditions carry a feel you know by heart — and the silence of not being out there adds its own sting.

— Karun Nair (@karun126) November 24, 2025

This kind of batting collapse has become a recurring pattern for the team. In the first Test, though the conditions were much tougher, they were dismissed for 189 and 93, leading to a 30-run defeat.

Nair was in contention for a comeback after Shubman Gill’s neck injury

Nair was said to be in contention for a comeback in the second Test after captain Shubman Gill suffered a serious neck injury in the first match. However, India opted to bring in Sai Sudharsan, who was already part of the squad, and added all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as Axar Patel’s replacement.

The right-hander had been included in the Indian squad for the summer tour of England, marking his first call-up in eight years. He managed to score only 205 runs across four matches played in four matches at an average of 25.63.

Sai Sudharsan was selected at number three

After India’ s return home, Nair was dropped while Sudharsan kept his place. Ahead of the first Test against South Africa, the Gautam Gambhir-led management overlooked Sudharsan and opted for a surprise choice at number three, Washington Sundar, before Sudharsan returned to the side for the second Test.

In the meantime, Nair has been in stellar form for Karnataka in first-class cricket, as he has smashed 233, 174, and two additional fifties in his last five Ranji Trophy outings.