Karun Nair's recent performances in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 have come under scrutiny, with critics questioning his place in the Indian team. The right-handed batter made a comeback to the international setup after eight years, but his return hasn't been memorable. In six innings of the ongoing series against England, he has only managed to score 131 runs at an average of 21.83. His highest score remains 40, which he scored in the first innings at Lord's.

However, veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has strongly defended Karun Nair, urging the team management and selectors to show patience and give him a fair run. He has pointed out that players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul received extended opportunities even during their lean patches, and Karun Nair deserves the same backing.

In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan Singh questioned the decision to drop debutant Sai Sudharsan after just one Test at Leeds. He emphasized that all players deserve a fair chance and that the criteria for selection should be consistent for everyone. "Yes, Karun has not scored runs, but if you gave him a chance, then persist with him for a while," Harbhajan Singh said. "All players deserve a fair chance. Karun deserves it now, and the likes of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul deserved it in the past." He went on to add, "So, the criteria should be the same for everyone. If others got five or six chances, then what crime has Karun committed?"

Harbhajan Singh has been a vocal supporter of Karun Nair for quite some time. Even earlier this year, he questioned the fairness of the selection process, particularly after Nair was overlooked for national selection despite his exceptional form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In that tournament, Nair had amassed 752 runs in just seven innings at an astonishing average of 752.00, including five centuries. Harbhajan had expressed his frustration, pointing out that IPL performances often seem to carry more weight than domestic achievements.

Nair made headlines in December 2016 when he hit a triple century in a home Test match against England, but he was dropped from the team after only three more Test matches. Harbhajan has previously expressed his bewilderment at Nair's exclusion from the team after such a historic feat. "I never understood how he was dropped after a triple century," he stated. "It pains me that no one talks about players like him."

In addition to supporting Karun Nair, Harbhajan Singh has also backed Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian team. He believes that Gambhir needs time to settle into his role, especially as this is his first major overseas tour since taking charge. "Gautam is doing very well as a coach, and he has been a very good player for Team India," Harbhajan said. "This is his first big tour after Australia. It takes time for anyone to get into the role, and the team is also changing."