Karun Nair's Test career has been filled with lot of ups and downs. From a triple hundred in the early years of his career to a fight for a place in the team, his tale has usually been one of lost opportunities. During India's tour of England, it seemed like the same story was being played out again, some good starts but no big scores, followed by another drop. But in the last Test at The Oval, Nair did finally make his presence felt with a hard-fought 57 that can well provide a new lifeline to his career. Slow Start to the Series Nair didn't have a great start to the series. He scored a duck in the first innings and 20 in the second of the first Test. In the second Test, he was dismissed having scored 31 and 26. His form was not bad, but the scores did not mute critics. At Lord's, a ground every cricketer wishes to play at, Nair once again received a start but could not continue, scoring 40. He was dropped for the Manchester Test and was replaced by Sai Sudharsan. It appeared to be Nair's Test career slipping through his hands. Fans and experts thought that it could be the last opportunity. But Rishabh Pant suffered an unexpected injury and brought him back for the fifth and final Test. Also Read | Watch: Ben Duckett Plays Audacious Reverse Ramp Shot for Six in 5th Test Fighting Fifty at The Oval India lost the toss and were asked to bat on a green track with cloudy skies, less than ideal batting conditions. Wickets continued to fall, and India were reeling at 153/6. That is when Nair came in. He survived by luck initially, a couple of edges went past the stumps, and some reached the boundary, but he stuck around. In between, he also played some handsome shots. On the second day, he was dismissed for 57, but the battling he did was remarkable. It wasn't a hundred, but based on match context and the pitch conditions, it was a highly crucial knock. One More Chance, Well Taken Nair might not have registered a big haul, but his 57 was as timely as it gets. In a side that is chock-a-block with strong contenders, every run matters. This innings might just enable him to remain in the mix for a middle-order berth. His career has been replete with 'what ifs,' but at The Oval, he proved that he still possesses the hunger and talent to play at the highest level. Cricket gave him another chance, and this time, he took it.