Talented India batter Karun Nair had a phenomenal run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, scoring 779 runs from 8 innings at an average of 389.50. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar made a supportive social media post. But all was in vain, as Karun’s aspirations for taking on the Indian jersey yet again after an eight-year gap crumbled as Ajit Agarkar led a meeting of the national selectors under Rohit Sharma’s leadership to finalize India’s squads for the Champions Trophy and ODIs versus England. The 33-year-old Vidarbha captain, who before the final match of the domestic tournament had an average of 752, found no place in the Indian team.
On Nair’s exclusion, maybe not too surprising, as former India captain Sunil Gavaskar pointed out the main reason why that may have happened.
“Where are they going to fit him? Could he have taken KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer’s place? KL is going to be the second wicketkeeper-batter for this team, and he had a good 2023 World Cup. I don’t think the Indian cricket team has played a lot of ODIs after that. Shreyas Iyer has also done very well in the format. That’s why Karun Nair is not selected,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Sports Tak.
“If he continues this form in the Ranji Trophy, it would be very tough for Team India not to include him in the upcoming Test tour to England,” he added.
BCCI has kept asking why the player should score so massively in domestic cricket if he has to be left out, and, on top of that, how honest is it on the management’s decision to give significance to domestic matches. But as a matter of fact, as explained by Ajit Agarkar, it indeed is difficult to pick Karun among a current squad of 15.
“Yeah, it is tough. Those are really special performances. I mean, someone who averages – 700-plus, 750-plus (before Vijay Hazare final). We did have a chat (about Karun),” Agarkar said in the press meet to announce the Indian squads on Saturday.
“But at the moment, to find a spot in this team is very difficult. I mean, look at the guys who’ve been picked. All average well in excess of mid-40s
“So, unfortunately, you can’t fit everyone in. It’s a squad of 15. But those performances certainly make you take notice,” he added.
