Harbhajan Singh drags Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli into the fray as he lashes out at BCCI over Karun Nair not being picked
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh attacked the selectors for not picking Karun Nair in the Indian team. He highlighted the batsman’s statistics, questioning why the rules are different for a batsman while others are selected after only two games.
Karun Nair, who holds the record of three centuries in England, set the stage on fire in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The right-hander was at his exceptional best and led his team, Vidarbha, to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Karun Nair scored 664 runs in six innings in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
In the six innings he played, Karun Nair scored 664 runs to go with five centuries and an impressive strike rate of 120.07. He has been dismissed just once in the tournament and is the top run-scorer in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy so far.
There have been several media reports claiming that the selectors are keeping a close eye on Karun Nair ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Many fans and pundits have also called for his inclusion in the squad, especially considering the form he is going through.
I never understood how he was dismissed after three centuries – Harbhajan Singh on Karun Nair
Harbhajan Singh spoke about Karun Nair’s numbers in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, saying it would be unfair on him if he is not picked in the team. He lashed out at the selectors saying that players are selected after IPL performances, but those who perform in the domestic circuit are ignored.
He also said that he is still unable to understand why the batsman was dropped from the Indian team after scoring a triple century in Tests. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“I look at his stats. In the 2024/25 season. he pitched six innings, got no outs in 5, struck out 664 and that’s his average. And he played with a strike rate of 120. And they don’t pick him. It’s unfair. Many were selected based on just two games; some are just selected based on IPL. So why are the rules different for him?
“People say Rohit and Virat are out of form and you send them to Ranji. But those who play Ranji and score runs… why are you ignoring them? When are these guys going to play? They are scoring runs here. I never understood how he got dropped after three centuries. It hurts me that no one talks about players like him.”
He doesn’t have tattoos, he doesn’t wear fancy clothes, is that why you don’t pick him – Harbhajan Singh on Karun Nair
Harbhajan Singh also attacked the BCCI for dropping Karun Nair after he reached his triple century. He mockingly said that a player who doesn’t wear fancy clothes or doesn’t have tattoos would be the reason for his non-selection. He added:
“He went to England with the team but he didn’t get a game. For the fifth Test, they brought in a player from India, I think it was Hanuma Vihari, and he played the Test instead of Nair. Give me a reason why this makes sense?
“Different rules for different people… that shouldn’t be the way. When they score, you have to play against them, right? He doesn’t have a tattoo, he doesn’t wear fancy clothes, is that why you don’t choose him? Doesn’t he work hard?”
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