Home
The comeback of Karun Nair into the Test team, one of the most heart-warming stories in recent times which inspired youngsters to undergo the domestic cricket grind, was short-lived as the veteran batter was dropped from the squad after England tour. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that they expected more from someone like Nair. Then, they chose to back a young Sai Sudharsan for the no.3 role in Test side. Meanwhile, Nair got ready for another domestic season. In his second game of Ranji Trophy 2025-26, he scored an unbeaten 174, rescuing Karnataka against Goa. After Day 2’s play, Nair admitted that he was disappointed to not make it to squad for home series against West Indies. He expected more than just one series to prove his mettle in international cricket.
“Obviously, it is quite disappointing. After the last two years I’ve had, I think I deserved a lot better. More than a series,” Nair told the reporters in Shimoga.
Nair said that a few of his teammates had conversations with him after he got dropped.
“There are certain individuals in the [Indian] team who have had good conversations with me about how they felt. That’s about it,” said the 33-year-old.
Nair admits that it does have an impact on him but he chooses to march on. While putting on the India jersey is the ultimate goal, he is focusing the task at hand, to help his current team win.
“It does get into the head. But the second thought would be to do your job, which is to score runs and let people have their opinions,” Karun remarked.
“Honestly, what target can I have next? All I want to do is to play for the country. If you’re not able to do that, the next thing would be to try and win games for the side you are playing for.”
1 fifty in 8 innings not enough to impress Aagarkar
From eight innings on England tour, Nair scored 205 runs at an average of 25.62. His first and only fifty on the tour came in the last Test at Kennington Oval, London. But, it wasn’t enough to convince Agarkar & Co. to place trust in his abilities for another series.
“We expected more from him (in England). He played four Tests, and there was just one fifty,” Agarkar had said in a press conference announcing the squad for Test series against West Indies.
“We would like to give 15-20 chances to everyone, but unfortunately it does not work that way.”
Nair’s rescue knock
As Arjun Tendulkar and V Koushik wreaked havoc, reducing Karnataka to 65/4, Nair held on to one end. He shared crucial partnerships with Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal and Vijaykumar Vyshak to help Karnataka post 371. He played 267 deliveries to score 174 runs. His knock was laced with 14 fours and three sixes. This is first-class career's 25th century.
ADVERTISEMENT
