Harbhajan Singh has strongly backed in-form batter Karun Nair, who has been in exceptional touch during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Leading Vidarbha, Nair has been breaking domestic records with his remarkable run-scoring spree in the tournament.
So far, he has amassed 752 runs in just seven innings at a staggering average of 752.00, including five centuries, while maintaining an impressive strike rate of 120.07. Despite his phenomenal performance, Nair has been overlooked for national selection, sparking criticism from Harbhajan, especially amid the ongoing concerns over the poor form of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching and the BCCI yet to finalize the squad, reports suggest that selectors are keeping an eye on Nair, who last played for India in 2016 and has featured in two ODIs and six Tests since his debut. However, a final decision regarding his inclusion remains pending.
Expressing his frustration over the selection process on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan questioned the fairness of the system, arguing that IPL performances often weigh heavier than domestic achievements. He pointed out that despite Nair’s extraordinary consistency, he continues to be ignored while some players are selected after performing in just a couple of IPL matches.
Harbhajan voiced his discontent with the disparity, stating, “It’s unfair. Many players are picked after just two games, and some are selected purely based on IPL performances. Why are the rules different for Karun Nair? People say Rohit and Virat are out of form, so you’re sending them to Ranji. But those who are already playing Ranji and scoring heavily… why are they being ignored? When will these players get their chance? They are scoring runs here.”
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