BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the reason behind Karun Nair’s exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies at home. The former bowler also stated that young left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal offers more value to the team than Karun Nair.
Karun managed to score 205 runs in four of the five Tests at an average of 25.62 during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The Karnataka batter returned to the India team after a gap of more than 3000 days, but failed to convert starts into big scores. He batted at different positions in the batting order in England.
On Thursday, September 25, the selectors announced the 15-member Indian squad for the Test series against the West Indies. Karun Nair was left out after failing to impress on the England tour, while Devdutt Padikkal was recalled to the team.
Ajit Agarkar admitted that the selectors had expected more from Nair during his comeback series. He further added that Padikkal currently offers greater value to the team.
"Frankly, we expected a little bit more. I mean, he's played four Tests. That's the way it is, I mean, we feel (Devdutt) Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point. And I wish we could give everyone 15 or 20 Tests. Frankly, we expected a bit more from Karun on the England trip there," Agarkar stated.
Devdutt Padikkal Has Shown Some Decent Form - Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar stated that they picked Devdutt Padikkal based on his recent form. He pointed out that Padikkal had already been part of the Test squad in Australia and later impressed with a half-century in Dharamshala against England.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Padikkal's been in the Test squad. I mean, he was in the Test squad in Australia, played in Dharamshala against England, got a 50 there. So he's shown some decent form with India," Agarkar added.
Padikkal pushed his return to the squad with 150 against Australia A in the first unofficial Test. He made his Test debut against England in the fifth match in 2024, where he scored 65 runs off 103 balls. The left-handed batter played his next Test match in Perth but recorded scores of 0 and 27 against Australia.
Karun Nair’s Test Comeback Fails to Impress Selectors
Karun Nair returned to the Indian Test team after impressive performances in domestic cricket. He had a record-breaking Ranji Trophy campaign and later smashed a double century for India A before the England series.
However, his performances in England fell well short of expectations. He managed only 131 runs in six innings at an average of 21.83. India dropped him for the Manchester Test, bringing in Sai Sudharsan. Nair earned another lifeline at The Oval.
Nair showed some fight with a half-century in testing conditions in that final Test, but it wasn’t enough to cement his position in the squad. He has played only 10 Tests and scored 579 runs at an average of 41.36, including one century and one fifty. He was the second Indian to score a triple century in Tests.
Also read: Shreyas Iyer to announce Test retirement? BCCI gives official update on future
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