Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Karun Nair might not get a chance in the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies. Nair was recently included on the England tour but could not grab his chance with both hands.
Nair scored 205 runs in four Test matches at an average of 25.62 against England. The 33-year-old got off to multiple starts in the first three Test matches but failed to convert them into substantial scores. It has been reported that Nair might not make the cut into the Test squad and Devdutt Padikkal can get his opportunity.
Chopra said Nair’s absence could have opened the selection doors for Shreyas Iyer but the Mumbai batter has reportedly told the BCCI not to consider him for red-ball cricket as he is taking a break. Iyer led India A against Australia A in the first unofficial Test but pulled out of the second game due to personal reasons.
“Will Karun Nair’s name be there? It doesn’t seem like Karun Nair’s name will be there. However, another news has come that Shreyas Iyer’s name will also not be there because he has reportedly written to the BCCI that they shouldn’t consider him for red-ball cricket as he is taking a break from red-ball cricket,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Comes as a bit of a shock and a surprise because he was just now made the captain for the multi-day series. The next two series are in India and there is a Sri Lanka tour as well, where the conditions are similar to ours. So Shreyas Iyer could have actually walked into this team. Karun Nair isn’t there. There was a place for Shreyas Iyer, which he has relinquished. It is as unfortunate as it might be,” he observed.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator reckons Sarfaraz Khan should be included in India’s Test squad if he is fit.
“If both Shreyas Iyer and Karun Nair are not there, who will be there? There is still a question over Sarfaraz’s fitness. If he is fit, his name should come because you didn’t play him in BGT and didn’t select him for England. However, you sent him with the A team, and he scored a ninety for the A team,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer added that Devdutt Padikkal and Abhimanyu Easwaran will be part of the Test squad against the Windies.
“So, if he (Sarfaraz) has done that, give him a chance. He plays well in India in any case. He won’t have any problem against spin. I see Devdutt Padikkal being part of the team. He has scored 150 runs just now, so he should be a part of this team. Abhimanyu Easwaran will hold onto his spot,” Chopra observed.
The opening Test match between India and West Indies will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, from October 2 onwards
