Has Team India Found Its No. 4 Batter In Karun Nair? Big Trouble For THESE Star Indian Batters News24
As India gears up for a pivotal five-match Test series in England starting June 20, the announcement of the squad has sparked intense discussions, particularly due to the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer. Both batters were widely anticipated to be part of the lineup, especially in the wake of retirements by veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Instead, the selectors opted for Karun Nair’s unexpected recall after nearly eight years and handed Sai Sudharsan his first-ever call-up. This decision has raised questions about whether Nair’s return has come at the expense of Sarfaraz and Iyer’s chances in the Test arena.
When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the 18-member Test squad for the England tour, it surprised many. With two batting vacancies open following the retirements of Kohli and Rohit, many assumed Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom have featured in recent Tests were favorites for selection. However, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir, chose to take an alternative route.
Karun Nair, whose last Test appearance was back in 2017, earned a comeback after an exceptional domestic season. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan’s consistent performances at the domestic level earned him a maiden call-up. Consequently, Sarfaraz and Iyer were left out, leading to mixed reactions from fans and experts alike.
Former India pacer Atul Wassan shared his perspective on the selection decisions during the 12th episode of OTTPlay’s “Bails and Banter.” According to him, the exclusions of Sarfaraz and Iyer were influenced more by perception than actual performance. Wassan highlighted doubts about their ability to perform in English conditions as a key factor.
“Sarfaraz scored three fifties and a century but wasn’t given an opportunity in Australia. There’s a perception that he might struggle overseas. Similarly, with Shreyas Iyer, people feel he hasn’t proven enough in red-ball cricket,” Wassan explained. “Meanwhile, the buzz around Karun Nair has been strong. Sometimes, the team management has to trust their instincts.”
Sarfaraz Khan’s brief Test career so far has had some highlights. Earlier this year, he impressed with a 62 against England, only to be run out due to a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja. He followed that with an unbeaten 68 and later scored a maiden Test century (150) against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Despite these promising performances, he was not picked for the Australia series and has now been excluded from the England tour squad altogether.
Shreyas Iyer’s last Test appearance came during the previous England series before a back injury sidelined him. While he bounced back strongly in limited-overs cricket, playing a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy campaign, his place in the red-ball side remains uncertain. His omission from the BCCI’s central contracts earlier this year hinted at the precarious nature of his Test career.
In contrast, Karun Nair has made a compelling case for his selection. He amassed 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy games and scored 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing impressive consistency. His recent form appears to have convinced the selectors that he deserves another chance in Test cricket.
As the series against England approaches, the cricketing community will keenly watch how these selection decisions play out on the field. For Sarfaraz and Iyer, the challenge now is to continue performing and earn a comeback, while Nair and Sudharsan look to make their marks on the biggest stage.