Mumbai: Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision to omit Karun Nair from India’s One-Day International (ODI) squad for the Champions Trophy has generated a wave of criticism, particularly in the light of Nair’s stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Despite his remarkable form, Nair’s exclusion has raised questions about the selection process, especially given Agarkar's own emphasis on domestic cricket.
Nair’s performance in the domestic circuit, where he scored 779 runs in just seven matches at an astonishing average of 389.5, has been nothing short of extraordinary. His unbeaten streak across six consecutive innings prompted calls for his inclusion in the national squad after nearly a decade-long absence from international cricket.
However, he was notably left out of the 15-member Champions Trophy squad, a decision that has led to significant backlash from within the cricketing community.
During a press conference in Mumbai, Agarkar acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out a player with such outstanding performances. "Yeah, it was tough. Those are really special performances. Someone (Karun Nair) who averages 700-plus. We did have a chat," Agarkar said.
The chief selector explained the challenge of fitting everyone into the squad, particularly with the high-performing players already in the team. "At the moment, finding a spot in the squad in this team is really difficult. Look at the guys who have been picked. All average well in excess of mid-40s," Agarkar continued.
Despite this, Agarkar admitted that Nair's performances had certainly made the selectors take notice. "Unfortunately, you can't fit everyone in a squad of 15. But those performances certainly make you take notice. If there is a loss of form (for a player) or injuries, there's certainly going to be a conversation around him," he added, acknowledging that Nair’s continued excellent form could still open up future opportunities.
Former cricketers, including Surinder Khanna and Harbhajan Singh, have been vocal in their criticism. Khanna labelled Nair’s exclusion as “unlucky” and emphasised the need for recognition. "I think Karun Nair is a bit unlucky. He hit 300 in one of his Test matches but then seemed to vanish from the spotlight. Now, with his resurgence, it's time he receives recognition," Khanna said.
Harbhajan also questioned the value of domestic cricket if performances like Nair’s are overlooked. "Is there a point playing Domestic cricket when you don’t pick players based on form & performance?" Harbhajan wrote on X, highlighting the growing frustration among fans and players alike.
Meanwhile, Shreevats Goswami joined the chorus of those disappointed by the decision, noting the contradiction in Agarkar’s approach to selection. "Karun Nair not getting picked is like going against your own rule of making domestic cricket mandatory," Goswami Xed, further underscoring the confusion surrounding the squad selection.
Despite these criticisms, Agarkar’s decision to appoint Shubman Gill as vice-captain for the Champions Trophy was met with some approval. Khanna described the move as a step in the right direction, paving the way for younger players to take on leadership roles. "Gill’s previous experience as captain in Zimbabwe proved his potential and promise. Now it’s crucial for him to concentrate on regaining his form," he concluded.
