Karun Nair reveals he wants to play Test cricket for India, says he wasn’t thinking about making it to Champions Trophy squad

Indian batter Karun Nair has revealed he still harbors the dream of once again playing Test cricket for India. The Vidarbha captain admitted he wasn’t thinking about making it to the Champions Trophy squad despite his stellar form in the domestic tournaments.

Nair amassed 779 runs with five centuries in the Vijay Hazare trophy and guided Vidarbha to the final of the tournament.

The right-hander scored his runs at an average of 389.50 in eight innings.  Karun Nair also had a good run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, scoring 255 runs in six matches at an average of 42.50 and an impressive strike rate of 177.08.

Earlier, Nair had scored a triple-century against England while playing at home but was dropped soon after.

“If I’m being honest, before the tournament, I wasn’t thinking about that. At least for me, it felt quite far away. But like I said, you have dreams, you have thoughts, you want to achieve things. But you’re not thinking, “I’m going to make it.” You think, “I want to make it.” But whether it will actually happen is always a question mark in your head,” Karun Nair told Sports Today.

India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar had revealed that Karun Nair’s name was discussed in the selection meeting but it was not possible for them to accommodate him.

“I still have the dream of playing Test cricket for India. I’ve said it in many interviews. So quite honestly, that was the only thing on my mind. I wasn’t even thinking that I’d be mentioned or considered for the Champions Trophy squad, so I feel really grateful for that,” Nair added.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar had also praised Nair for his splendid run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the right-hander said it was a great feeling to receive praise from Master Blaster.

“It was one of the greatest feelings ever to receive appreciation from your childhood hero. It was an amazing moment. I am really thankful to him for taking the time to put out that message. I feel truly blessed to have received those kind words from him. But again, I need to keep performing. Every game and every innings counts, so that remains my focus,” Nair further said.

Nair would look to carry his purple patch in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.