Karun Nair dropped for IND vs WI Tests: Ajit Agarkar explains Devdutt Padikkal selection - '15-20 chances not possible'

Devansh Poddar

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Karun Nair dropped for IND vs WI Tests: Ajit Agarkar explains Devdutt Padikkal selection - '15-20 chances not possible' image

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It might be the end of the road for Karun Nair as an international cricketer, as the veteran Indian batter has been dropped from the Indian squad for their upcoming Test series against the West Indies. 

Team India is set to return to red-ball cricket as the side will take on the Caribbean nation in a two-match series, starting on October 2nd. 

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India's chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, opened up on the exclusion of Karun Nair as he mentioned that the side expected more of the batter. 

Ajit Agarkar's decision hints at possible end to Karun Nair's International cricket 

Cricket did give Karun Nair another chance. After 8 long years, the batter made it to the Indian Test side for their big series against England. Nair's exceptional performances in the domestic circuit reaped rewards as he returned to the Indian setup. 

The batter from Karnataka, however, failed to impress as he went through the England series with disappointing returns. Nair featured in four out of the five Tests and ended up scoring just 205 runs at an average of 25.62, with just one half-century to his name. 

While some people expected that the batter might get one more go in India's home Test season, the Team management has gone ahead with different plans. Devdutt Padikkal has replaced Karun Nair in India's squad for the West Indies Tests. 

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"We expected a little more from Karun Nair, can't be just one innings. Padikkal offers more at this point. Wish we could give everyone 15-20 Tests, but unfortunately, it doesn't work that way," said Agarkar in a press conference

Padikkal has been in decent form recently. The Karnataka batter scored a wonderful century in the first unofficial Test against Australia A last week, which further strengthened his case for selection. He was also part of the squad for India's tour to Australia earlier this year.

"Padikkal's been in the Test squad; he was in the Test squad in Australia, played in Dharamshala against England, and got a fifty there. He's shown some decent form for India A," added Agarkar.

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India's squad for the Test series against the West Indies

Team India is going to field almost a similar team that featured against England a couple of months ago.

Karun Nair, Akash Deep, and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been dropped from the squad, while Rishabh Pant has missed out as he his still recovering from his foot injury. Axar Patel has been added as an additional spinner.

  1. Shubman Gill (c)
  2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
  3. KL Rahul
  4. Sai Sudharsan
  5. Devdutt Padikkal
  6. Dhruv Jurel (wk)
  7. N Jagadeesan (wk)
  8. Ravindra Jadeja (vc)
  9. Washington Sundar
  10. Axar Patel
  11. Kuldeep Yadav
  12. Jasprit Bumrah
  13. Prasidh Krishna
  14. Mohammed Siraj
  15. Nitish Kumar Reddy

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Devansh Poddar

Devansh Poddar is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition.