Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Akash Chopra has shared his views on Karun Nair’s omission from India’s ODI squads for the upcoming home series against England and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy which may not sit well with many.
Karun Nair impressed everyone with his stunning performance in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, where he finished as the top run-scorer with 779 runs with the help of five hundreds in just eight innings at an overwhelming average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.
After his record-breaking performance in the 50-over tournament, many have been calling for his return to India for the upcoming three-match ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Unfortunately, the Vidarbha skipper of the Indian regulars was overlooked by the Indian selectors.
Aakash Chopra defends Indian selectors’ decision to snub Karun Nair for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Many former cricketers and fans have criticized the decision of the BCCI and Indian selectors to snub Karun Nair for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, but Aakash Chopra felt it was a fair call to invite more criticism. The commentator believes that the selectors did not make any wrong decisions.
Aakash Chopra said Karun Nair’s 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign was impressive, but it would not be fair to others for the player to be overlooked based on a strong showing in just one tournament for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, the cricket expert explained why Nair failed to replace established players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill in the 15-member squad for the upcoming assignments. Defending the national selectors’ decision, Chopra stressed that consistent performances are crucial for India’s selection, and not just in one tournament.
How can someone be selected based on Vijay Hazare’s performance? – Aakash Chopra
“There is a campaign going on that Karun Nair should have been in the team,” Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube video. Since he scores a lot of runs, he says he doesn’t knock on the door, he just breaks it down. I saw somewhere it was said that KL Rahul should be dropped. He has a 58-point average that ranks fourth and fifth. He played well in the World Cup.
The former India batsman further explained, “Someone said that Shubman Gill should be dropped. It is a running joke that someone who has been performing consistently should be dismissed and someone else should be brought in. Karun Nair’s one-year performance of Vijay Hazare has been brilliant. Such is certainly the case. “The performances are something to watch, but would you pick someone based on Vijay Hazare’s performance? Would it be right because it’s just one tournament?”
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Jasprit Bumrah to make way for Mohammed Siraj
Aakash Chopra highlights Karun Nair’s numbers in the past two Vijay Hazare Trophy seasons to prove his point
To justify the selectors’ call, Chopra highlighted Nair’s numbers in the last two Vijay Hazare Trophy seasons, where he managed just 230 runs at an average of 46 last season, and was dropped by Karnataka in the previous season.
“He was about to quit cricket, but the family told him to go somewhere different and find pastures new,” he signed off. Notably, Nair last played for India in 2017 and has played just two ODI matches so far, scoring 46 runs at an average of 23.00.
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