Former India National Cricket Team spinner Harbhajan Singh lashed out at the selectors for not picking Karun Nair in the Indian team. He pointed out the stats of the batter, questioning why are the rules different for the batter while others are selected after just two games.
Karun Nair, who holds the record of hitting a triple century in England, has been setting the stage on fire in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The right-hander has been at his exceptional best and has taken his team, Vidarbha, to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Karun Nair has slammed 664 runs in six innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25
In the six innings that he has played, Karun Nair has slammed 664 runs to go with five centuries and an impressive strike rate of 120.07. He has been dismissed only once in the tournament and is the top run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 so far.
There have been several reports in the media that claim that selectors are keeping a keen eye on Karun Nair ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Many fans and pundits have also called for his inclusion in the team, especially with the kind of form that he is going through.
I never understood how he was dropped after a triple century – Harbhajan Singh on Karun Nair
Harbhajan Singh talked about the numbers of Karun Nair in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, saying that if he isn’t picked for the team, then it would be unfair to him. He lashed out at selectors, saying that players are selected after IPL performances, but those who are performing in the domestic circuit are ignored.
He also said that he is still not able to understand why the batter was dropped from the Indian team after scoring a triple century in Tests. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“I’m looking at his stats. In 2024/25, he played six innings, remained not out in 5, scoring 664 and that was his average. And he’s played at a strike rate of 120. And they don’t pick him. It’s unfair. Many are selected on the basis of just two games; some are just selected on the basis of the IPL. So, why are rules different for him?
“People say Rohit and Virat are out of form, and you’re sending them to Ranji. But those who are playing Ranji and scoring runs… why are you ignoring them? When will these guys play? They are scoring runs here. I never understood how he was dropped after a triple century. It pains me that no one talks about players like him.”
He doesn’t have tattoos, doesn’t wear fancy clothes, is that the reason you’re not picking him – Harbhajan Singh on Karun Nair
Harbhajan Singh also lashed out at BCCI for dropping Karun Nair after he hit a triple century. He mockingly said that batter not wearing fancy clothes or having tattoos would be the reason behind his non-selection. He added:
“He went to England with the team but didn’t get a game. For the fifth Test, they actually flew a player from India, I think it was Hanuma Vihari, and he played the Test instead of Nair. Give me the reason for this. Does it make sense?
“Different rules for different people… that shouldn’t be the way. When they are scoring runs, you need to play him, right? He doesn’t have tattoos, doesn’t wear fancy clothes, is that the reason you’re not picking him? Does he not work hard?”
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