Off The Field

Chief Selector MSK Prasad Explains Why Karun Nair Was Dropped From Team India

Written by Rohit Pawar

Indian batsman Karun Nair’s exclusion from the home Tests against West Indies raised a few eyebrows but the chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said on Monday that the player himself has been told the reasons. “I personally spoke to Karun soon after the selection of the Test team against the West Indies and also told the ways to make a comeback.

“The selection committee is very very clear with regard to the communication process,” Prasad told news agency PTI. Nair, only the second Indian to score a Test triple century, was picked in the original squad for the England series but once the team was changed for the last two Tests, it was Hanuma Vihari, who played and impressed everyone with a gutsy half-century and handy off-breaks.

It is widely believed that the Indian team management were not happy with Nair’s inclusion in the Test set-up. Nair, in a recent interview, went on record stating that neither the team management nor the selectors have communicated with him.

“Communication has always been the strong point of this committee. It’s really tough to inform any unpleasant news to any player. You need to have valid reasons to explain them about their exclusion though they may not agree with it,” the former India stumper said.

“Having said that we are very clear and candid in our communication process. My colleague Devang Gandhi spoke to Karun Nair at length in England to keep him motivated and wait for his opportunities,” Prasad said.

“Karun is very much in the scheme of things for Test cricket. Right now, we have advised him to focus on performing in domestic and India A matches.”

About the author

Rohit Pawar

An Independent I.T. Security Expert, Geek, Blogger & Passionate Programmer.