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8 years later, Karun Nair remerges on selectors’ radar after stellar run in domestic cricket

8 years later, Karun Nair remerges on selectors’ radar after stellar run in domestic cricket

Karun Nair is currently unbeaten in Vijay Hazare Trophy with a score of 644 runs from 6 innings

His last outing for the India Cricket Team came way back in 2017. With 6 Tests and 2 ODI matches to his name, Karun Nair has started to ask the right questions to the BCCI Selectors. It is too late to make a comeback after 8 years? 33 years of age isn’t that huge. With Team India undergoing a transition, Karun Nair’s incredible form just might be a good fix to the side’s batting owes.

Speaking about the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun Nair is the highest run-getter in the tournament so far. Out of 7 matches, he has batted in 6 innings and is still unbeaten. With 5 centuries, he has notched up 644 runs. His scores read – 112, 44, 163, 111, 112, 122.

A last chance to make India comeback?

Karun Nair had scored a triple-century for India in Chennai in 2016. This was followed by a rather half-decent performance in the Test series against Australia at home in 2017. And with that, his stint with the Indian Cricket Team ended. Back in December of 2022, he took to social media to plead, “Dear cricket, give me one more chance”.

And now 13 months later, he is knocking on the doors of the selectors in giving him a chance that he dearly deserves. Nair’s performance now simply can’t be overlooked by the selectors. While his spot in ODIs and T20Is is highly unlikely, he the Vidarbha captain can contest for a spot in the Test squad.

India’s Test squad is currently undergoing a transition. With senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future uncertain, Nair can become the fix that the team wants. After the recent Border Gavaskar Trophy, it has become evident that India currently lacks the X-Factor in batting. And Nair’s impressive run of form is just what the team needs at this moment.

Karun Nair in Vijay Hazare Trophy this season

MatchBatDateGround
Vidarbha vs Rajasthan122*12-Jan-2025Vadodara
Vidarbha vs Mizoram05-Jan-2025Vizianagaram
Vidarbha vs UP11203-Jan-2025Vizianagaram
Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu111*31-Dec-2024Visakhapatnam
Vidarbha vs Chandigarh163*28-Dec-2024Visakhapatnam
Vidarbha vs Chhattisgarh44*26-Dec-2024Vizianagaram
Vidarbha vs J + K112*23-Dec-2024Vizianagaram

Will Nair be a short-term fix?

33 years of age, obviously Karun Nair will be a short-term fix, but he will be a fix nonetheless. When Rohit and Virat are transitioned out, there will be a vacancy in 2 batting positions. Replacing the veterans won’t be a piece of cake. The team would need someone with experience to work as the stopgap.

And this is where Nair fits the bill. He isn’t there to continue for a long time and would serve the purpose of a stopgap. While the likes of Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan regain their form, Nair can be the backbone in holding the team. Furthermore, his batting form and prowess will do more good to the team, than dragging it back.

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