Former Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna did not hesitate to criticize the selectors’ decision to ignore. Karun Nair Despite his extraordinary form with the bat in the recently held Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Karun Nair blasted 779 runs in just seven matches with the help of five hundreds at an incredible average of 389.5 and remained unbeaten in six consecutive innings in the final Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. His incredible batting performance created a lot of buzz among the cricket experts.
Surinder Khanna slams Indian selectors for ignoring Karun Nair despite his spectacular Vijay Hazare Trophy performance in 2024-25 season.
Many former cricketers said it was time for Nair to make his long-awaited return to the international stage after nearly a decade, but the Indian selectors again left him heartbroken by excluding the Vidarbha captain for both the England ODIs and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Surinder Khanna expressed his disappointment over Karun Nair’s snub, questioning the decision to overlook the 33-year-old striker for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He emphasized that Nair deserves to be selected in the CT 2025 squad.
The former Indian cricketer pointed out that the Indian cricket team needs younger, more agile players for the fast-paced demands of the ODI format. Rohit SharmaVirat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
I think Karun Nair is a bit unlucky: Surinder Khanna
Surinder Khanna was quoted by ANI as saying, “I think Karun Nair is a bit unlucky. I wish I was the chairman of the selectors. He hit 300 in a Test match and disappeared after that. Now suddenly the moon is out again so that the moon shines for 2-3 years and how many 35-36 year old guys can be on the team? This is a one-day format; you need quick movers on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Surinder Khanna did not shy away from criticizing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He blasted Rohit Sharma’s pitch and said that if the Indian skipper settles on the boundary, the opposition can easily steal runs.
Khanna also mentioned that Virat Kohli’s fielding in the slips and inside the circle is no longer effective and this is affecting the overall performance of the Indian team. However, Kohli is one of the best players in the world.
Captain is also weak: Surinder Khanna over Rohit Sharma
Khanna further remarked, “The captain is also weak. I mean, if you field Rohit Sharma on the boundary, two runs will get easily. Virat Kohli also slips in the fields and only fields inside the circle. Kohli does not run on the pitch; puts a lot of effort in the circle. I hope that they will all adjust mentally, focus and return to their form.”
However, the former cricketer welcomed the national selectors’ decision to appoint Shubman Gill as India’s vice-captain for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, saying it was a very good and positive development. He signed off saying Gill has shown promise but stressed the youngster needs to find his form with the bat and that is the key for him and the team.
