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NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Karun Nair's Comeback Sparks Debate as Sarfaraz Khan, Shreyas Iyer Miss Out On England Tests
As India prepares for a crucial five-match Test series in England starting June 20, the omissions of Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer from the squad have triggered plenty of debate. Both batters were widely expected to be part of the team, especially with the retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Instead, the selectors opted for Karun Nair, marking a surprise recall after nearly eight years, and handed Sai Sudharsan his maiden call-up. The buzz now is whether Nair's resurgence came at the cost of Sarfaraz and Iyer's Test futures. The announcement of India's 18-member Test squad for the England tour raised more than a few eyebrows. With two batting spots available due to the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the general belief was that Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan – both of whom played for India in the last year – were front-runners. However, in a surprising move, the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, chose to go in a different direction. Karun Nair, who last played a Test for India in 2017, was recalled following an outstanding domestic season. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan was rewarded for consistent performances with a maiden call-up. These selections meant there was no place for Sarfaraz or Iyer, and the decision has since drawn mixed reactions. Former India pacer Atul Wassan believes the omissions were driven more by perception than performance. Speaking on the 12th episode of Bails and Banter on OTTPlay, Wassan suggested that Sarfaraz and Iyer were overlooked due to doubts about their ability to succeed in English conditions. 'Sarfaraz made three fifties and a hundred but didn't get a single game in Australia. It's this perception that he may not perform overseas. Same with Shreyas Iyer – people feel he hasn't done enough in red-ball cricket,' Wassan said. 'On the other hand, the buzz was all about Karun Nair. Sometimes the team management just backs a gut feeling.' Sarfaraz had a memorable debut earlier this year, scoring 62 against England before being run out due to a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja. He backed it up with a 68* in the next innings and went on to score another fifty and his maiden Test century – 150 vs New Zealand in Bengaluru. Despite his performances, he did not feature in a single match in the Australia series and now finds himself out of the squad entirely. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, last played a Test during the England series before a back injury sidelined him. While he returned strongly in white-ball cricket – playing a key role in India's Champions Trophy win – his red-ball spot remains elusive. His exclusion from BCCI's central contracts list earlier this year had already hinted at his uncertain Test future. Karun Nair, meanwhile, made a strong case with 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His consistent form seems to have convinced the selectors to give him another shot in the longest format. Listen to the latest songs, only on
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Tracing Karun Nair's remarkable comeback in Indian cricket: From being dropped to scoring a century in England
As Usman Ghani watched, from Vidarbha's dressing room, Karun Nair bat as if he had been possessed by the spirit of Don Bradman in game after game during the Vijay Hazare Trophy early this year, he remembered a conversation he had had with the born-again cricketer. Unreal run And after his unreal run in India's premier fifty-over tournament, with scores of 112 not out, 44 not out, 163 not out, 111 not out, 112, 122 not out, and 88 not out in successive innings, Karun had hopes of making it to the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. Ghani, too, felt Karun would be picked. But, he wasn't. His comeback to international cricket would have to wait. Not any longer, though. Karun was first named in the India-A side for the England tour. And then in the Indian Test squad. There was almost an air of inevitability to it: even if the last Test he played was eight years ago. This is indeed one of Indian cricket's most remarkable comebacks. Something even Mohinder Amarnath, the father of all comebacks, may approve of. ALSO READ | The rise and rise of the young Indian cricketers The selectors could afford to ignore Karun for the Champions Trophy: they had the cushion of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, after all. Karun, however, continued to amass runs against the red ball, too, and played a major role in Vidarbha regaining the Ranji Trophy. His 135 in the second innings shut Kerala out of the final; he could have scored a hundred in the first innings as well, but was run out for 86. He swept and reverse-swept to neutralise the threat from Kerala's best bowler Jalaj Saxena. His determination to take his side to a position from where it could not lose was admirable. The ability to play long innings has always been one of his qualities, something the Test team could find useful. Ghani is also impressed by Karun's dedication. 'He gives his best every time, even at the nets, and I was so happy when the selectors finally had to select him,' the coach told The Hindu over the phone from Nagpur. 'Like him, I too was disappointed when he was not picked for the Champions Trophy. And he was feeling low.' But not for long. He had a chat with a certain Sachin Tendulkar on the phone. 'Atul Ranade, assistant coach at Vidarbha and Sachin's close friend, made it possible,' recalled Ghani. 'Karun was motivated by his conversation with the master. He told me he felt a lot better after that chat.' ALSO READ | Testing times: On India's new Test Captain A costly 'no' Ghani believes Vidarbha was fortunate to secure Karun's services. He had been dropped by Karnataka in 2022, and when he expressed a desire to play for Kerala, the State of his origin, its cricket administrators were not keen. That was probably the costliest 'no' after Shatrughan Sinha rejected Ramesh Sippy's offer of the role that eventually was enacted by Amitabh Bachchan in Sholay. Unlike many Malayalis who grew up outside Kerala, Karun speaks fluent Malayalam. After scoring a hundred for India-A against South Africa-A in the unofficial Test at Krishnagiri in Kerala back in 2015, he told the Kerala Cricket Association's media manager that he was hoping for a few questions in Malayalam at the press conference. Incidentally, that hundred proved timely, as he was flown out as a replacement for the injured M. Vijay in India's Test squad in Sri Lanka. Ahead of the Ranji Trophy final in Nagpur, however, Karun got plenty of opportunities to speak in Malayalam. There was a large media contingent from Kerala to cover the team's first-ever Ranji Trophy final. He spoke with a smile about the KCA's snub. He also talked about how he battled his way back into contention for a place in the Indian team after that poignant tweet of his, 'Dear cricket, give me another chance', following his omission from the Karnataka team in 2022. He admitted it was a very low phase in his life. And he is someone who has experienced the kind of high only one other Indian Test batter has. In 2016, against England at Chennai, he made a monumental 303 not out, in what was only his third Test innings. Only Virender Sehwag had scored a Test triple-hundred before for India, and, of course, none has since. Karun, however, was dropped for the following Test, against Bangladesh at Hyderabad a couple of months later, because Ajinkya Rahane, whose injury had paved his way into the team in Chennai, was back. Karun made his return during the home series against Australia, but the fourth Test at Dharamsala would prove to be his last. That was in 2017. Eight years later, he could very well be batting in the middle-order at Leeds in the first Test against England next month. ALSO READ | Gill pads up for captaincy innings He will have earned that privilege the hard way. His experience in county cricket should come in handy. He scored 202 not out against Glamorgan last season and 150 against Surrey in 2023. 'The county stint has helped me to understand my game more, the different ways of playing and that there will be times a batsman finds it tough to score runs, but it is important to hang in there and play the ball on its merit,' said Karun. 'In England, you realise the ball is swinging all day and you may not get to play any spinners the whole day. The experience convinced me my game is good enough to play in any conditions. I have taken that confidence to India.' His confidence got a further boost when he was made the Vidarbha captain for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 'The added responsibility brought the best of Karun,' said Ghani. 'This year he has been more aggressive in his batting. I said to him — 'Karun, why don't you express yourself more?'' He certainly did. And not just with the bat. ALSO READ | Cometh the hour, cometh Bumrah! Sending a message When he scored that hundred in the Ranji final, he raised nine fingers to indicate it was his ninth of the season. When asked if it was only meant for the dressing room, as the national selectors were also present at the VCA Stadium, he smiled mischievously and said, 'You can take it however you like'. After the match, selector Subroto Banerjee shook hands with him. And Karun smiled broadly. He knew he must have impressed him. But it hadn't been easy to catch the selectors' eyes in a country brimming over with batting talent. And he had to inch his way back from being a forgotten man of Indian cricket. 'You can imagine how difficult that phase of my life must have been,' he said. 'My parents and my wife were my pillars all through. And those times made me understand people. When times are good, there will be a lot of people with you.' The good times are back again for Karun. And it could be good news, too, for the most inexperienced Indian batting line-up in years.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
I would love to mentor young cricketers now: Priyank Panchal
Priyank Panchal Former Team Gujarat skipper Priyank Panchal , who announced his retirement from first-class cricket on Monday evening, says, 'It was a practical decision.' The 35-year-old batter, who has also captained India A in the past, adds, 'It (retirement) was on my mind for a while. I could have easily played for another two or three years. However, as a professional cricketer, my biggest dream was to play for India and realistically, I didn't think that was going to happen. So, I felt there was no point in playing just for the sake of it if the hunger (to succeed) at the highest level is no longer there.' 'I will continue to contribute to cricket' So, what does he plan to do next? Priyank says, 'For now, I just want to process this phase. I have a couple of things in mind, but I will start working on that later.' However, he adds, 'I will continue to contribute to cricket. I would love to mentor young cricketers because given how competitive the game has become, it is important to have a mentor who can guide you properly. Many talented youngsters don't have clarity about what they need to do to reach a higher level. I would be very happy if I can help them achieve their dreams.' 'My journey was full of challenges, but I enjoyed it' With 8856 runs in 127 matches, including 29 centuries, Priyank finished as Team Gujarat's second-highest run-scorer in first-class cricket. The classy innings of 148 against Kerala in February ( Ranji Trophy semi-final) will remain his last first-class innings. In 2021-22, he was even selected in Team India as Rohit Sharma's replacement for the South Africa tour, but did not find a place in the playing XI. Does he have any regrets? Priyank, who won all domestic tournaments with Team Gujarat (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2014-15, Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2015-16 and Ranji Trophy in 2016-17, where he scored 1310 runs, including a career-best 314 against Punjab), says, 'My journey has been full of challenges and sacrifices because first-class cricket requires a lot of hard work. But I enjoyed that grind. Being a part of the Gujarat dressing room taught me discipline, how to stay positive even during tough times, and how to stay calm under pressure. These important life lessons have helped me in all aspects. I may not have played for India, but captaining India A against international teams was a very proud moment.' 'My school and employers have supported me a lot' Reflecting on the journey, Priyank says, 'For me, everything started at school (Hiramani School, Ahmedabad) and some of the teachers, like Jani sir and Brahmbhatt sir, played a huge role in shaping my dreams as a cricketer. Later, my employers (Income Tax Department) also supported me immensely and the job gave me stability.' He adds, 'I think the turning point in my career came when I started scoring big in local matches. Once, I scored a double century and that gave me the belief that I could do this at the highest level too.' 'I am grateful to my family and friends for their constant support' Getting emotional, Priyank says, 'I am grateful to my family and friends for their constant support. When I was a kid, my dad always inspired me to pursue my dream of playing for India. After he left us, my mom (Dipti) and sister (Brinda) made sure that I could focus on cricket and not worry about anything else. They kept believing in me even when I did not do well. My wife (Kalna) and in-laws have been a constant source of strength too. I couldn't have achieved whatever I have done without them.' He adds, 'After I informed my family about retirement, they said, 'Do whatever you feel is right. We are always there for you.' Everyone agreed that it was a practical decision.' Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'Play Straight, Be Great': Kevin Pietersen's Advice To Karun Nair Ahead Of IND-ENG Tests
Last Updated: Nair is part of India's Test squad for the five-match series against England starting June 20 in Leeds. The 33-year-old right-handed batter will also play for India A. Karun Nair is back in the Indian team after more than eight years. The right-handed batter from Vidarbha, who has a triple century to his name in Test cricket, is part of the Shubman Gill-led Indian team for the upcoming five-match series against England. The 33-year-old cricketer, who last played a Test match for India in March 2017, landed in England earlier this week and has kicked off his preparations for the high-profile series. Karun, who impressed with his performances for Vidarbha in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, took to Instagram on Wednesday (May 28) to share a couple of pictures of him from the nets session. He captioned the post, 'Out and about #prep." Here's a look: Former England Test captain and legendary batter Kevin Pietersen took note of Nair's post and shared valuable advice for him by writing, 'play straight, be great," in the comment section. advetisement Before getting a chance to play for the Indian team, Karun will represent the India A team in two four-day matches against the England Lions. The first unofficial Test between the two teams is scheduled to take place in Canterbury from May 30 to June 2, and Northampton will host the second game from June 6 to 9. During the two matches, Nair, who is backed as India's new No. 4 batter in Test cricket by Anil Kumble following Virat Kohli's retirement on May 12, will have a chance to present a case for his place in the playing XI of the first Test between India and England at Headingley in Leeds. India A squad for four-day matches against England Lions: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey India's squad for Test series against England: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav Nair's recent form Nair was part of the Delhi Capitals squad in IPL 2025, and he played eight matches for the Axar Patel-led side, in which, with the help of one half-century (89 runs), he scored 198 runs. In DC's last league match of the season, Nair came out to bat at No. 3 on Saturday (May 24) and scored 44 runs from 27 balls. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 28, 2025, 19:01 IST Latest News Italian Man After Eating Maggi For The First Time: 'There Is No Taste' Viral World Hamas's Gaza Chief Muhammad Sinwar Has Been 'Eliminated': Israel PM Netanyahu Explainers Dipika Kakar Diagnosed With Stage 2 Liver Cancer: Why It Is Called A 'Silent Killer' | Explained Viral Cauliflower Cake Is The Coolest Winter Dessert. TBH, We Didn't See It Coming India Singaporean Woman, Who Narrowly Escaped Phalagam Attack, Sends Message To PM Modi latest news
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sarfaraz Khan vs Karun Nair: Who really deserved to be picked in India's Test squad for England tour?
Last week, India's selectors announced an 18-man squad to tour England for a five-Test series starting in three weeks. Eighteen is not a huge number when one considers that these five games are packed in a six-and-a-half-week window. Almost astonishingly, though, this extended squad contains only a single specialist middle-order batter, assuming that the most experienced of the specialist batters, KL Rahul, has been picked as an opener. There is a logjam at the top, in a manner of speaking – for positions 1, 2 and 3. New Test skipper Shubman Gill hasn't batted below No. 3 in 59 Test innings. All 36 of Yashasvi Jaiswal's Test knocks have been as an opener. The uncapped duo of Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran are top-order batters. Rishabh Pant has started to bat at No. 5, a position Ravindra Jadeja too has occupied in the past, though strictly speaking, both must be classed as all-rounders, alongside Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur and reserve stumper Dhruv Jurel. All of this leaves Karun Nair, back in the Test squad after seven years, as the solitary specialist middle-order bat. Hmmm, you say? Karun has smashed down the seemingly forever-closed doors to the Test side with a string of spectacular performances for Vidarbha in all formats. His batting heroics were as responsible as contributions from anyone else for Vidarbha reaching the final of the Ranji Trophy in 2023-24 and going one better in the season gone by. Nine Ranji games yielded 863 runs including four hundreds; in the final, he backed up 86 with 135 in the second innings. All this, after blazing a spectacular trail in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy (yes, yes, different format, got it) which yielded a stunning 779 runs in eight innings at the ludicrous average of 389.50. In the last two county seasons, the 33-year-old has amassed 736 runs for Northamptonshire in 10 matches, averaging 56.61 and boasting a best of 202 not out. To say that he is in the middle of an extended purple patch will be an understatement. Does he deserve his place back in the Test squad? Only one answer, right? To suggest that Karun has made the cut at Sarfaraz Khan's expense isn't fair on India's only Test triple-centurion apart from Virender Sehwag. The fact that Sarfaraz has been axed after just four failures following his second-innings 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October last year has been highlighted, though Karun received neither the same empathy or consideration after being dropped for just the same four failures on the back of his unbeaten 303 against England in December 2016 in Chennai. That Karun has done more than enough to warrant a place in the Test squad on his own steam is beyond question. 'At the moment, we felt Karun has put up heaps of runs over the last couple of seasons. He's played a little bit of Test cricket early in his career, has played a bit of county cricket. We feel that he's batting well enough,' selection panel Ajit Agarkar said by way of unnecessary explanation. 'Also now, with Virat not there… we felt Nair's experience could help.' Sarfaraz, whose Test career began with so much promise against England early last year, hasn't played a first-class match since November, when he was dismissed for 0 and 1 in the final Test against the Kiwis in Mumbai. Indeed, his only representative outing after that was in a pink-ball one-day warm-up game (ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide) against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra that same month, when he managed just 1. In Australia, Devdutt Padikkal – drafted in as a late reinforcement from the India 'A' squad – and Jurel were picked to play in Tests ahead of Sarfaraz when places opened up for one reason or the other. The writing was on the wall even then. On what basis, not having played any cricket since, would Sarfaraz get the nod ahead of Karun? Alongside, potentially, as another middle-order batter if the decision-makers were convinced that he could deliver in England (clearly, they didn't feel he could in Australia), but instead of? Nah. It can be argued that Sarfaraz is getting precisely the sort of unkind cut Karun did all those years back, and it's hard to argue with that argument. Perhaps, head coach Gautam Gambhir doesn't see as much in him as his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, did. That's a judgement call which, like all judgement calls, can be debated until the cows come home. But have Sarfaraz's performances in recent times outweighed Karun's completely? To borrow from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, definitely not.
