Out-of-favor Indian cricketer Karun Nair has been making headlines with a blistering run in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing why he remains one of the most talented batters in domestic cricket. The 33-year-old batter smashed his fourth consecutive century and fifth overall in this edition of the premier 50-over tournament, guiding Vidarbha to a dominating nine-wicket victory over Rajasthan in the quarterfinals.
Karun’s latest knock, an unbeaten 122 off just 82 balls laced with 13 fours and five sixes, highlighted his ability to dominate attacks. His stellar performances have now placed him in an elite group of players, including Devdutt Padikkal, Kumar Sangakkara, and Alviro Petersen, who have scored four successive List A centuries. With 664 runs in eight matches at a jaw-dropping average of 664, Karun has been the backbone of Vidarbha’s campaign.
A Forgotten Star
Karun Nair burst onto the international stage in 2016, becoming only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket after Virender Sehwag. His unbeaten 303 against England remains a historic feat. However, after just three more Test matches, Karun was dropped from the national side and has since struggled to make a comeback.
Despite his consistent performances in domestic cricket, Karun has often been overlooked by the national selectors, raising questions about opportunities for players outside the core team.
Robin Uthappa Questions India’s Selection Policies
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa recently spoke about the challenges faced by domestic performers like Karun Nair. In an interview with The Lallantop, Uthappa criticized the cricket ecosystem for failing to provide clarity to players who excel in domestic cricket.
Citing Karun’s case, Uthappa said, “If you’re not going to let him play, why give him false hope? Tell him upfront that you don’t see him succeeding in international cricket. Let him focus on domestic cricket instead of dangling opportunities that never materialize. It’s shocking how Karun was dropped after scoring a triple century in just three Test matches. This is an indictment of our cricket system.”
Future Prospects
Karun Nair’s phenomenal form has reignited discussions about talent recognition and opportunities in Indian cricket. With the Vijay Hazare Trophy nearing its climax, Karun’s performances could pave the way for a potential comeback or, at the very least, spark much-needed changes in how deserving players are treated within the Indian cricket ecosystem.
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