Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh and wicketkeeper-batsman Shreevats Goswami have strongly condemned the Indian selectors' decision to overlook in-form batsman Karun Nair for the upcoming ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Both Harbhajan Singh and Shreevats Goswami questioned the importance of domestic cricket when performance is not considered for India selection after Karun Nair was overlooked for some of India's out-of-form stars for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Harbhajan Singh, Shreevats Goswami slam Indian selectors for overlooking Karun Nair for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Karun Nair was in incredible form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 and finished as the top scorer of the tournament. The Vidarbha captain amassed 779 runs in just eight innings at an impressive average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
The right-handed batsman smashed five centuries and one fifty, earning widespread praise and sparking calls for his inclusion in India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Despite his outstanding performance, Nair was not selected in the 15-member squad, leaving fans and pundits confused
Following the 33-year-old's disappointment for both the England series and the multinational tour, Harbhajan Singh has questioned the value of domestic cricket when performance and form does not earn him a place in the India squad with a hot post on X on January 18.
Harbhajan Singh questions importance of domestic cricket after Nair's refusal
Citing Karun Nair's extraordinary run in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, the legendary Indian spinner expressed his frustration that the deserving player was overlooked by the national selector amid the uproar over BCCI's strict domestic cricket policy.
Harbhajan Singh posted on X: “What's the point of playing domestic cricket when you don't pick players based on form and performance? #KarunNair”
Is there any point in playing domestic cricket when you don't pick players based on form and performance? #KarunNair
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 18, 2025
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami also slammed the national selectors for ignoring in-form batsman Karun Nair for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Goswami said the BCCI had broken its own rules by overlooking Nair despite his stellar VHT campaign.
You went against your own rule: Shreevats Goswami slams BCCI selectors after Karun Nair ignored for CT 2025
Shreevats Goswami posted on X: “Not picking Karun Nair is like going against your own rule of making domestic cricket compulsory. Gutted for him! #ChampionsTrophy2025”
Karun Nair not being picked is like going against your own rule of making domestic cricket compulsory. Gutted for him! #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 18, 2025
In another post, the former Indian cricketer questioned why India could not include Nair as the 16th player, especially given the past instances of reserves being taken for ICC tournaments. Goswami emphasized the value of having a middle-order anchor in challenging conditions like Dubai, calling for Nair's late inclusion in the squad.
Goswami said in another X post, “Why not make an exception for someone who has scored 752 runs in 7 games? I mean, use its shape! Take an extra player and go. India took 4 reserves, including Gill, for the recent T20 WC in the Caribbean. 2015 WC: Dhawal Kulkarni was part of the WC as a traveling reserve. Jaiswal as extra opener? must be KL can open if Gill or Rohit gets injured; in conditions like Dubai, you need someone to build innings in the middle. Just add it as the 16th! #ChampionsTrophy2025”
Why not make an exception for someone who scored 752 points in 7 games, ie use his form! Take an extra player and go. India took 4 reserves including gills for recent t20 wc in Caribbean .2015 wc and Dhawal kulkarni was part of WC as travel reserve. Jaiswal as…
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 18, 2025
Notably, Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar has assured that Nair will be kept as a back-up if anyone struggles for form or gets injured during the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy.