Following an eight-year hiatus, Karun Nair returned to the national team at the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which was played between India and England in the United Kingdom. Despite playing four of the five Test matches, he only managed to score 205 runs at an average of 25.62. Despite having opportunities at various positions in the batting order, the right-handed batter was unable to leave his mark. At the Kennington Oval, he did score a half-century in the opening innings of the fifth Test, which the visitors won by six runs to tie the series at two.
India’s team for the forthcoming two-match home Test series against the West Indies was revealed by Ajit Agarkar, chief selector for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Among the prominent absences was Karun Nair, who just returned to Karnataka after playing for Vidarbha for two seasons. Regarding Nair’s exclusion, Agarkar stated that the team management and selectors expected more from him during the England tour.
To be honest, we had higher expectations for Karun Nair.
You mentioned one innings, however he played four Test matches. It’s just that way. At this time, we believe Padikkal provides a bit more. At the press conference, Agarkar stated, “I wish we could give everyone 15 to 20 tests.”
However, Karun Nair acknowledged that he was taken aback when his name was left out of the squad. He emphasised that he led India in scoring in the opening innings of the Oval Test and helped the team win.
“I did anticipate the choice, yes. I’m at a loss for words. Nothing to say. There aren’t many things I can say. I find it really hard to respond,” he told the Times of India.
“It would be wise for you to enquire about the selectors’ thoughts. The only thing is that I scored a fifty in the first innings of the most recent Test match when nobody else did. Therefore, I believe I made a contribution to the team, particularly during our most recent victory. It is what it is, though. “Those things are irrelevant,” he continued.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the first Test match between India and the West Indies starting on October 2. In the meanwhile, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will host the second Test from October 10 to October 14.
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