Decoding Karun Nair's mysterious absence from the Indian team: Ex-teammate of Virat Kohli sheds light, draws parallels to R Ashwin's WTC Final exclusions

Nair's astonishing performance of hitting four consecutive centuries led Vidarbha to the semi-finals. His exceptional form in domestic cricket caught the attention of selectors, earning him a debut for the Indian national team in 2016. Despite a remarkable start to his international career, including a triple century in just his third Test against England, Nair was unfortunately dropped from the team after only six matches. His last appearance for India came in 2017 against Australia.

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Commenting on Abhimanyu Easwaran not getting a chance to play at the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa slammed the selection committee in the country, and also compared it to Nair’s dropping.

Selection politics behind Karun Nair's mystery India exile

Speaking to Lallantop, he said, “If you are not going to let him play, then why are you promising him. Just tell him that you don’t believe that he can succeed in international cricket, just play and score runs in domestic cricket. If you are giving him a chance, and this has happened with so many players, Karun Nair, he was removed from the team after his 300 and only two Test matches.”

“It is a shocker because of our cricket ecosystem.”

Giving a sneak-peek into the selection politics within the Indian cricket team, Uthappa also used the example of R Ashwin. “In selection, there are preferences. When I play, I think for India. For example, the two WTC finals. The first one you dropped Ashwin, because of him you reached the WTC Final, and you said that it is due to the green top, which is understandable, and you will use three pacers and a spinner. Then why aren’t you using the world’s best spinner, it is not like he can’t bat. He can take wickets in that pitch too, in grass or marble pitches too. He is an innovative thinker and is a leader. Then in the next WTC Final at Oval, you didn’t use him. How did you reach the final, Ashwin took the wickets in India. Oval is the kind of track where ball spins a lot after the third day. Shardul Thakur played in that Test match as a replacement for Ashwin. It is not based on merit,” he said.

“Cultural politics is to blame. If you look at our country, in south, there can be 4-5 different countries, because we are so culturally diverse.

“Three-four countries get a lot of backing. It was Karnataka till a certain point. Mumbai lobby, Delhi lobby, Gujarat lobby, Punjab,” he added.

Nair’s scores in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy are 112*, 44*, 163*, 111*, 112*, 122*. It is also the most runs scored by a batter in the history of List A cricket without losing his wicket.

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