Dinesh Karthik feels Karun Nair won’t make it to India’s Champions Trophy squad despite sensational form

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik has opined that Karun Nair won’t make it to the Champions Trophy squad despite his sensational form. The Vidarbha captain has scored 752 runs in seven innings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare at an average of 752 and a strike rate of 125.96.

Nair has scored five centuries in the ongoing 50-over tournament. On the other hand, Mayank Agarawal is also in splendid form as he has amassed 619 runs in nine matches of the tournament at an impressive average of 103.17.

Karthik reckons Nair will be in the selection discussions but he might not get a chance as India’s ODI squad is settled.

“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,” the former Indian cricketer Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

He continued, “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.”

On the other hand, Karthik is optimistic that Yashasvi Jaiswal will be part of India’s ODI squad for a three-match series against England and Champions Trophy.

“Playing a 5-match series, a Test series is not a joke. I think they (selectors) have done the right thing. 100% he will be in the ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy. Don’t worry. He is batting brilliantly well. These five T20s won’t make a difference to him,” Kartik opined in the same interview.

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.