Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has lashed out at the BCCI and spoken in support of Karun Nair after his recent form. Nair, who is among the two triple centurions in Indian cricket, last played for India in 2017.
Since then, the batter has scored heavily in domestic cricket but, the team management has not selected him in any format. With India's recent slump in Test cricket, the BCCI is now looking at him with keen interest.
Nair has been setting the stage on fire in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. In the six innings that he has played, Karun Nair has slammed 664 runs to go with five centuries and an impressive strike rate of 120.07. He has been dismissed only once in the tournament and is the top run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 so far.
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In 2024 overall, Nair also enjoyed success in first-class cricket, finishing with 1,466 runs at an average of 44.42. His season included four centuries and seven fifties, with a highest score of 202*. Additionally, Nair impressed in England's county cricket with Northamptonshire, amassing 487 runs in seven matches at an average of 48.70, including one century and three fifties.
Harbhajan Singh Comes Out In Support Of Karun Nair
Harbhajan Singh has now gone on an open rant at BCCI for particularly ignoring the talented Indian batter. He criticised the apex body for ignoring Nair despite the runs he scored in domestic cricket.
“I never understood how he was dropped after a triple century. It pains me that no one talks about players like him. He went to England with the team but didn't get a game. For the fifth Test, they actually flew a player from India, I think it was Hanuma Vihari, and he played the Test instead of Nair. Give me the reason for this. Does it make sense? Different rules for different people… that shouldn't be the way. When they are scoring runs, you need to play him, right? He doesn't have tattoos, doesn't wear fancy clothes, is that the reason you're not picking him? Does he not work hard?” asked Harbhajan.
The former spinner also questioned the criteria for selection, pointing out that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are being pushed to play in the Ranji Trophy owing to bad form but Nair's performances are constantly getting ignored.
"Many are selected on the basis of just two games, some are just selected basis the IPL. So, why are rules different for him? People say Rohit and Virat are out of form, and you're sending them to Ranji. But those who are playing Ranji and scoring runs… why are you ignoring them? When will these guys play? They are scoring runs here" Harbhajan added.
Nair will next turn up on Thursday for Vidarbha when his side takes on Maharashtra in the second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
