Introduction
Karun Nair not selected for India A squad. Karun Nair, once hailed as one of India’s most promising red-ball batters after his historic triple century against England in 2016, finds himself sidelined once again. The latest India A squad announcement for the upcoming series against Australia A has left Nair’s name missing, sparking debates about whether this marks the end of his international journey.
Selectors Overlook Nair
The Indian selectors named Shreyas Iyer as captain of the India A team, with several youngsters like Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Rajat Patidar included. But Karun Nair, despite being fit and available, was not considered, which many see as a strong signal that the selectors are moving on.
At 33 years old, Nair is no longer viewed as part of India’s long-term red-ball plans. This omission comes at a time when the selectors are clearly prioritizing players in their mid-20s, who can serve the national team for the next decade.
Why Was He Dropped?
1. Underwhelming Comeback in England
Nair was recalled earlier this year for the England Test series, but he failed to make an impact. Across six innings, he scored just 205 runs at an average of around 25, with only one half-century. For someone hoping to revive his career, it wasn’t enough to convince the selectors.
2. Consistency Issues
While Nair has shown flashes of brilliance in domestic cricket, including match-winning knocks in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, his inability to deliver consistently at the international level has hurt his chances.
3. Shift Towards Youth
The BCCI appears to be restructuring its talent pipeline. With players like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Iyer already knocking on the Test team’s door, veterans like Nair are being overlooked in favor of younger prospects.
What Experts Are Saying
Former cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra remarked that although Nair wasn’t terrible in his comeback series, he didn’t “grab the opportunity with both hands.” He added that it seems the selectors have decided to look past Karun Nair, signaling that his Test career may effectively be over.
Karun Nair’s Career Snapshot
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 8 | 374 | 26.7 | 303* |
| ODIs | 2 | 46 | 23.0 | 39 |
| T20Is | – | – | – | – |
| First-Class | 90+ | 6000+ | 47.0 | 328 |
What This Means for Nair
Nair’s omission from India A is more than just a missed selection. It suggests that he may not be in the plans for India’s future Test squads. For a player who once etched his name in record books with a triple century, this decline feels stark.
His best chance now lies in domestic cricket—if he can pile up runs in the Ranji Trophy and other first-class competitions, he might still force the selectors to rethink. However, with age and competition against younger players, his window of opportunity is rapidly closing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Karun Nair’s Non-Selection
1. Why was Karun Nair not selected for the India A squad?
Karun Nair was left out of the India A squad because of his underwhelming performance in the recent England Test series, where he averaged just around 25. Selectors appear to be moving towards younger red-ball players for the future, leaving limited space for senior cricketers like Nair.
2. How old is Karun Nair, and does age play a role in his exclusion?
Karun Nair is 33 years old. While age alone isn’t the only factor, selectors are clearly prioritizing players in their mid-20s, such as Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who are seen as long-term red-ball investments.
3. What are Karun Nair’s major career achievements?
Karun Nair’s biggest achievement is his unbeaten 303 runs against England in 2016, making him only the second Indian to score a Test triple century after Virender Sehwag. He also has a solid domestic record, with 6000+ first-class runs at an average of nearly 47.
4. Did Karun Nair play in the recent England series?
Yes, Karun Nair was recalled to India’s Test squad for the England series in 2025. However, in six innings, he scored only 205 runs with one fifty, which wasn’t enough to secure his place moving forward.
5. Is Karun Nair’s international career over?
While it’s not officially over, being left out of both the national team and India A squad suggests that his chances of a Test comeback are slim. Unless he scores heavily in domestic cricket, selectors may have already moved on.
6. What can Karun Nair do to revive his career?
To revive his career, Nair would need to consistently dominate domestic cricket—particularly the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. Strong performances in these tournaments are often considered by selectors for red-ball opportunities.
Conclusion
Karun Nair’s story is one of highs and lows. From the glory of a Test triple hundred to being sidelined from both the national and India A squads, his journey reflects the brutal reality of modern cricket—past achievements don’t guarantee future opportunities.
Unless Nair produces an extraordinary domestic season, this latest snub could well be the final blow to his hopes of a Test comeback.
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