Karun Nair Expresses Disappointment Over Test Squad Exclusion for West Indies Series

Karun Nair's Reaction to Test Squad Announcement

Indian cricketer Karun Nair has voiced his frustration regarding his omission from the Test team for the upcoming two-match series against the West Indies, set to commence on October 2. The announcement of the 15-member squad was made by Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector for the senior men's team, during a press conference held in Dubai on September 25.

A significant point of discussion following the squad announcement was the absence of Nair's name. The 34-year-old recently returned to Test cricket after an eight-year hiatus during the England series but was left out of the squad. Instead, his Karnataka teammate, Devdutt Padikkal, was selected to fill a middle-order position, particularly in light of Shreyas Iyer's temporary withdrawal from red-ball cricket due to back issues.

Selection Criteria Under Scrutiny

In response to inquiries about Nair's exclusion, Ajit Agarkar candidly explained that the selectors had anticipated more from Nair during the England series. He noted that Padikkal currently presents a stronger option based on his recent performances in unofficial Tests against Australia A.

Shortly after the squad was revealed, Nair shared his thoughts on the matter. In an interview with a media outlet, he expressed his expectation of being selected and conveyed his disappointment at being overlooked for the West Indies series. Nair highlighted his recent contributions, including a notable fifty in the Oval Test, and lamented that his efforts seemed to have gone unnoticed.

Nair's Future in Domestic Cricket

Reflecting on his exclusion, Nair stated, "I did expect the selection. I don't know what to say. No words. It's very difficult for me to answer." He suggested that the selectors should clarify their reasoning, emphasizing his contribution in the last Test match where he scored fifty when others struggled.

Following his omission from the Test squad, Nair is now focusing on the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. He will not participate in the Irani Cup, having returned to his state team, Karnataka, for the new domestic season. Nair remarked, "There's nothing much I can say or do to change anything. I just have to keep going. From my perspective, I did my best, and now I respect their decision. I'm just going to play Ranji Trophy."

Despite being one of only two Indian players to score a triple century in Tests, Nair's future with the national team remains uncertain. Throughout his Test career, he has accumulated 579 runs, including a triple century and a fifty, with an average of 41.35 across 10 matches.