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When quizzed about the non-addition of the 33-year-old in form batter Nair, Agarkar said that the Vidarbha batter’s showings did make them take notice, however, added that it was difficult at the moment to find a place for him in the squad.
Karun Nair, Ajit Agarkar.
Team India announced the 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday and Karun Nair, who has churned up a storm with his recent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, was a notable absentee from the contingent.
When quizzed about the non-addition of the 33-year-old in-form batter, who averages an astounding 752 in his seven innings in the premier List A event, chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said that the Vidarbha batter’s showings did make them take notice, however, added that it was difficult at the moment to find a place for him in the squad.
“We had a chat about Karun Nair,” Agarkar revealed.
“Averaging 750 plus is special, but we can’t fit everyone in the 15-man squad”, the 47-year-old explained.
“But it’s difficult to fit in everyone in this squad,” the former Indian seamer said.
“If there’s an injury, there could be a discussion around him,” the selection committee chairman said.
Nair added to his incredible run tally in the ongoing domestic campaign with a 44-ball-88-run knock in the semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Maharashtra to take Vidarbha into the final.
In the lead-up to the semis, Nair posted scores of an unbeaten 122 against Rajasthan, 112 against Uttar Pradesh, an unbeaten 11 against Tamil Nadu, an unbeaten 163 against Chandigarh, 44 not out against Chhattisgarh, and another unbeaten 112 against Jammu and Kashmir.
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Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja
