Karun Nair back on Test selection radar, sends strong message to Ajit Agarkar ahead of SA series

Karnataka batter Karun Nair has made a strong statement to the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa at home. The right-handed batter scored a century during the Ranji Trophy 2025 match against Goa on Day 2 (Sunday, October 26) in Shimoga.

Nair was dropped from the squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies, which ended in a 2-0 victory. The veteran batter didn’t retain his place in the squad after disappointing performances against England. He could not make an impact while constantly being shuffled in the middle order.

Karun Nair Sends Strong Message to Ajit Agarkar Ahead of South Africa Test Series

Karnataka found themselves in a precarious position at 65/4 when Karun Nair came to the crease. Arjun Tendulkar put the home side under pressure with early breakthroughs. The situation deteriorated further as Karnataka slipped to 128/5, with Tendulkar claiming a third wicket.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Nair showed immense composure and resilience. He anchored the innings with a brilliant century, reaching the three-figure mark on the morning of Day 2. It was his 25th hundred in First-Class cricket and proved vital in steering Karnataka out of trouble.

None of the other top five managed to surpass 30 runs, and three of them were dismissed for single-digit scores. Nair had been unbeaten on 86 at the close of Day 1 and continued his disciplined approach into the second day.

Karun Nair Crosses 8,850 Runs in First-Class Cricket

Karun Nair, playing his 122nd First-Class match, crossed 8,850 runs at an average close to 49. He has scored 25 centuries and 38 half-centuries in First-Class cricket.

In the Ranji Trophy, Nair has scored over 5,270 runs in 72 matches at an average of 47.90, including 18 centuries and 19 fifties.

Earlier this year, Nair returned to the Indian Test side for the series against England after nearly seven years away. He featured in four matches, registering just one half-century in the final Test at The Oval. The batter struggled to convert starts into big scores, leading to his omission from the next series.

Karun Nair Returns to Karnataka After Stint with Vidarbha

Karun Nair, once a highly promising figure in India’s Test setup, had moved to Vidarbha seeking regular playing opportunities. The decision paid off as he played a pivotal role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy success, showcasing both skill and consistency at the crease in domestic cricket.

The stint with Vidarbha proved crucial for Nair, allowing him to regain confidence and re-establish himself as a reliable middle-order batsman in domestic cricket.

Nair’s career has been a mix of early brilliance and subsequent challenges. He smashed a triple century against England in 2016 and was touted as a potential mainstay in India’s Test middle order. However, inconsistent form and limited opportunities caused his international trajectory to stall.

Also read: Harry Brook rescues England from humiliation with unbelievable century in 1st ODI vs New Zealand