Team India on Saturday announced its 15-member squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, choosing to ignore Karun Nair despite his hot form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair made 752 runs in seven innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and made a strong case for late inclusion. However, the selection committee, under the leadership Ajit Agarkar did not select Nair even for the ODI series against England, instead maintaining continuity. This decision was sharply criticized by one of the Virat Kohliformer teammates of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Shrivats Goswamiwho played for RCB with Kohli from 2008 to 2010 and also played under Gautam Gambhir Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2011 was furious with the decision to drop Nair.
Not picking Karun Nair is like going against your own rule that domestic cricket is compulsory. for him! #Champions Trophy2025
— Shreevats Goswami (@shreevats1) January 18, 2025
Goswami hinted at hypocrisy on the part of the BCCI in making domestic cricket mandatory in its 10-point guidelines but then excluding Nair.
“Not being picked by Karun Nair is like going against your own rule that domestic cricket is compulsory,” Goswami wrote on X.
Goswami reasoned that Karun Nair could at least be included as a reserve in the Indian team.
“Why not make an exception for a man who scored 752 points in seven games, I mean use his form! Grab an extra player and go. India did take 4 reserve players, including Gill, to the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. World Championship 2015. too much Dhaval Kulkarni was part of the Cheka as a traveling reserve. Jaiswal as extra opener? Just add it on the 16th!,” Goswami said.
Why not make an exception for someone who has scored 752 points in 7 games, I mean use his form! Take an extra player and go. India took 4 reserves including gills for the recent t20 championship in the caribbean. The 2015 championship too. Dhaval Kulkarni was part of the WC as traveling reserve. Jaiswal is like…
— Shreevats Goswami (@shreevats1) January 18, 2025
Goswami reasoned that India did not have middle management support, so Karun Nair should have been chosen.
Meanwhile, Agarkar defended not choosing Karun Nair.
“Karun Nair is playing well, but it was difficult for him to get a place in this team,” Agarkar said at a press conference to announce the team.
“It was difficult to find space and the average age of all the players selected was around 40,” says Agarkar, defending the selection of batters in the 15-member squad.
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