Exclusive | 'At least for me, it felt...': Karun Nair's massive statement after getting snubbed from India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad

In the exclusive conversation with Sports Tak, Nair revealed that he was not expecting a call-up for the 8-team mega event which is scheduled to start from February 19. 

"If I'm being honest, before the tournament, I wasn't thinking about that. At least for me, it felt quite far away. But like I said, you have dreams, you have thoughts, you want to achieve things. But you're not thinking, "I'm going to make it." You think, "I want to make it." But whether it will actually happen is always a question mark in your head," Karun Nair told India Today's sister channel Sports Today.

Kair further added that he still have the dream of representing India in Tests and he feels grateful for people who mentioned him in India's Champions Trophy squad. 

"I still have the dream of playing Test cricket for India. I've said it in many interviews. So quite honestly, that was the only thing on my mind. I wasn't even thinking that I'd be mentioned or considered for the Champions Trophy squad, so I feel really grateful for that," Nair added.

 

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar also praised Karun Nair for his sensational run with the bat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair also expressed gratitude for the appreciation he received from his childhood idol, acknowledging how much it meant to him.

"It was one of the greatest feelings ever to receive appreciation from your childhood hero. It was an amazing moment. I am really thankful to him for taking the time to put out that message. I feel truly blessed to have received those kind words from him. But again, I need to keep performing. Every game and every innings counts, so that remains my focus," Nair further said.

Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start from February 19. India will start their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.