Getting dropped from the Indian national cricket team is like being pushed off a cliff. You do the hard yards and climb all the way up to the top, only for a lapse or two to cost you dear.
Karun Nair is the latest to experience this harsh reality. After two glorious seasons for Vidarbha, during which he totalled 1,553 runs and helped his side win the Ranji Trophy last season, he received an India call-up after seven years for this summer’s tour to England.
But the 205 runs he made from eight innings at 25.62 with one half-century weren’t enough for him to feature in the recent two-Test series against the West Indies. Worse, Karun has not even been picked in the India-A squad that will take on South Africa-A in two multi-day matches from October 30.
“Obviously, it is quite disappointing,” the 33-year-old said, on the sidelines of Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy match against Goa on Sunday. “After the last two years I’ve had, I think I deserved a lot better. More than a series.
READ: Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Karun Nair powers Karnataka to 371 with unbeaten century on rain-marred Day 2
“There are certain individuals in the [Indian] team who have had good conversations with me about how they felt. That’s about it.”
It was creditable that he shook off the disappointment and made a fine century versus Goa (174 n.o., 267b, 14×4, 3×6).
“It does get into the head. But the second thought would be to do your job, which is to score runs and let people have their opinions,” Karun stated.
“Honestly, what target can I have next? All I want to do is to play for the country. If you’re not able to do that, the next thing would be to try and win games for the side you are playing for.”
Published on Oct 27, 2025