Real reason behind Karun Nair's Test snub revealed

Indian selectors have announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, starting on October 2 in Ahmedabad. The biggest talking point of the much-awaited announcement is the exclusion of Karun Nair from the Test side.

Devdutt Padikkal has been recalled to the Test side at the expense of Karun Nair, who has been overlooked after a mixed performance on the England tour. The Karnataka batter had made a comeback to the Indian team after eight years but failed to make the most of the lifeline.

Devdutt Padikkal recalled for West Indies Test series as selectors move on from Karun Nair

The right-handed batter struggled in England and could manage only one fifty in the four tests, leaving the selectors to go for the young gun in Devdutt Padikkal. The 33-year-old scored just 205 runs at an average of 25.62 in the drawn five-match Test series.

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Now, reacting to Nair’s snub, the former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik said that only effort and determination can’t save the struggling batter. He further noted that inconsistent performances in big matches made it difficult for Nair to retain his place in the Test team.

Dinesh Karthik blames Karun Nair’s inconsistency for his Test snub

Dinesh Karthik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “The fact that Karun Nair is not looked at anymore means they are moving on from him, which is very tough on him. I think he played in one of the toughest series on tough pitches."

"But in all fairness, he’ll look back himself and say, ‘Could I have scored more runs in a couple of innings at the start, in the first three tests?’ Because in the last test, he got a 50 on a tough pitch.”

The cricket pandit further noted, “I can promise you if he was playing this series, he would get runs. It’s almost a given, the way he’s batting. The fact is they are saying, ‘Big series, we gave him an opportunity, and he didn’t deliver. So, we move on to somebody young for the future’.”

Read Also: Suryakumar Yadav receives ICC warning; India vs Pakistan tensions high

Dinesh Karthik hails Devdutt Padikkal’s recall to Indian Test squad

Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik welcomed Devdutt Padikkal’s selection, praising his ability to perform in tough conditions. He mentioned how Padikkal had impressed with an 80 in Australia for India A last year and a solid 50 against England at Dharamsala to justify his selection over Nair.

Karthik has pointed out that these performances show that Padikkal has earned his stripes. He also said that Nair got the chance on the England tour only because Padikkal was injured; otherwise, the star batter would have been part of the squad right from the start of the Test series.

He signed off by saying, “I really feel Devdutt being given an opportunity is a good thing because he has got 80 in Australia. He has got a 50 against England in Dharamsala. So, he has earned his stripes. He has just earned his recall into the Indian team.”

Notably, Indian selectors decided to move on from Karun Nair, as they felt Padikkal offered more promise and potential at this stage after the seasoned batter’s mixed England tour.

Read Also: KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan slam sensational tons on the brink of West Indies Tests; playing XI spots sealed