Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has weighed in on the stunning performance of an Indian batter currently shining in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The batter has been in remarkable form, amassing an impressive number of runs, including several centuries, and has quickly found himself in contention for a spot in India’s upcoming Champions Trophy squad. However, Karthik offered a unique perspective on whether the batter will make the cut.
Dinesh Karthik’s take on selection dynamics
Representing Vidarbha in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun Nair has been in the form of his life, amassing an astonishing 752 runs in just eight matches. This tally includes five centuries, propelling him to the top of the tournament’s run-scoring charts. Such prolific performances have naturally sparked speculation about his potential inclusion in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy.
Karthik, while lauding the batter’s remarkable achievements, shared his reservations about the likelihood of an immediate national call-up. He praised Nair’s exceptional form, noting that even Mayank Agarwal, currently the second-leading run-scorer with 619 runs, has been performing well. However, he also stated that the timing is key, as the Indian ODI squad is nearly finalized, and the BCCI could announce it at any moment, leaving little room for changes.
“Karun Nair, it’s been unreal to see the form that you’ve been in. Even Mayank Agarwal has been in some really good form. But the beauty is, it’s coming at a stage when the Indian ODI setup is almost ready to go. There can’t be too many changes,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz (via Indian Express).
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A well-deserved spot in discussions
Karthik acknowledged that Nair’s form makes him a strong contender for selection and deserving of consideration. However, he doubts Nair will make it to the Champions Trophy squad. Still, if Nair maintains this level of performance, Karthik believes he has the potential to be a key player, praising his ability to handle both pace and spin effectively.
“Yes, it’s very tempting to bring a Karun Nair into the setup, and I think he has earned the right to be part of the talks. But I don’t think he’ll make it to the Champions Trophy squad. But if he keeps going like this, why not? A form batter like that who plays fast and spin well, he’s a gun player, and I’m very happy for him,” he added.
