Indian batter Karun Nair, one of only two players from the country to score a triple century in Test cricket, has opened up on his disappointment after being dropped from the Indian Test squad following the England series earlier this year.
Nair played four Tests on that tour, managing 205 runs in eight innings. But his modest numbers were enough for the selectors to exclude him from the home series against the West Indies — and he wasn’t picked for the India A side either for the Australia A or South Africa A matches.
A Strong Statement With the Bat
After being left out of the national setup, Nair returned to domestic cricket and made his mark immediately. Turning up for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy, the 33-year-old hammered a superb 174 off 267 balls (14 fours, 3 sixes) against Goa at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shimoga.
His dominant innings came on Day 2 of the Elite Group B match, reminding everyone of the class that once made him a Test triple centurion.
“Quite Disappointing… I Deserved More Than a Series”
Speaking to reporters after his knock, Nair admitted that the sudden axe was tough to digest.
“Obviously, it is quite disappointing. After the last two years I’ve had, I think I deserved a lot better. More than a series,” Nair said.
He also revealed that a few individuals from the Indian dressing room had spoken to him privately about the decision.
“There are certain individuals in the (Indian) team who have had good conversations with me about how they felt. That’s about it.”
Channeling Frustration Into Performance
Nair admitted that the situation did affect him mentally, but he’s focused on what he can control.
“It does get into the head. But the second thought would be to do your job, which is to score runs and let people have their opinions,” he said.
When asked about his goals, he kept his response simple.
“Honestly, what target can I have next? All I want to do is to play for the country. If you’re not able to do that, the next thing would be to try and win games for the side you are playing for.”
A Difficult Tour in England
Nair’s numbers on the England tour were modest. He registered scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, 14, 57 and 17, and was dropped for the fourth Test in Manchester before being recalled for the final game at The Oval.
While the selectors moved on quickly, his domestic return and strong performances have once again put the spotlight on whether he deserves a longer rope at the highest level.
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