Amid reports suggesting Karun Nair's potential axing from the Indian squad, prominent voices in the cricketing fraternity, including Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra, have rallied behind the experienced batter, emphasizing the need for a fair and consistent selection policy. Nair's recent form has been a subject of intense debate, with his supporters pointing to his prolific domestic performances, while critics highlight his struggles to replicate that success on the international stage.
Karun Nair's career has been a rollercoaster ride. He burst onto the scene with a magnificent triple century against England in 2016, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat in Test cricket. However, his form dipped subsequently, leading to his exclusion from the team after just a handful of further appearances. After a long wait and consistent performances in domestic cricket, Nair made a comeback to the Indian Test side. However, he has struggled to make a significant impact in the recent matches. In the ongoing series against England, Nair has scored 131 runs in six innings, averaging just above 21.
Harbhajan Singh has been a vocal advocate for Nair, questioning the rationale behind overlooking his domestic form. Singh argued that if players are not picked based on their performance in domestic cricket, then the very significance of the domestic circuit comes into question. He has also stressed the importance of giving Nair a fair run, similar to the opportunities afforded to players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Singh criticized the team management for not giving Sai Sudharsan enough opportunities and that Nair should be given enough time to prove himself. He stated that Nair deserves the same backing as Gill and Rahul and questioned what "crime" Nair has committed to warrant different treatment.
Aakash Chopra has also weighed in on the debate, acknowledging that Nair "hasn't looked completely out of sorts". While recognizing that Nair hasn't cemented his place with big scores, Chopra initially suggested that the batter should be given "one more chance". He noted that Nair had been unfairly dropped in the past after scoring a triple century and that he should be given enough opportunities to succeed or fail. However, Chopra has also stated that the game might be Nair's last chance to secure his place in the Test team. Chopra has emphasized the importance of a stable No. 3 in Test cricket, drawing on historical examples of successful partnerships built around a strong No. 3 batsman.
The debate surrounding Karun Nair's place in the team highlights the challenges faced by selectors in balancing current form, past performances, and the need to provide opportunities to deserving players. While Nair's recent struggles have raised concerns, his supporters argue that he deserves a fair chance to prove his mettle, given his proven ability and the weight of runs he has scored in domestic cricket.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the team management, who must weigh all factors before determining Nair's fate. Whether he gets another opportunity or not, the discussions surrounding his selection have brought to the fore important questions about consistency, fairness, and the value of domestic performance in Indian cricket. Shubman Gill has also hinted that Nair might get another chance and said that the team has had conversations with him.
