Hours after his omission from Team India's squad for the Champions Trophy, Vidarbha captain Karun Nair's dream run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy came to an end with a 27-run knock in the final against Karnataka. Nair, who had scored 752 runs in seven games in the lead up to the final, was undone by an excellent delivery from pacer Prasidh Krishna. Nair was beaten all ends up as the ball kept low and nipped back in sharply to rattle the stumps.
big wicket
Prasidh Krishna gets the crucial wicket of Karun Nair #VijayHazareTrophy @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard https://t.co/ZZjfWXaajB pic.twitter.com/0D0CUIyuYO
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIDomestic) January 18, 2025
Nair's dismissal saw Vidarbha reduced to 88/2 while chasing 349 against Karnataka in the final.
Earlier, Ravichandran Smaran smashed a century to power Karnataka to 348/6 in 50 overs.
Krishnan Shrijith and Abhinav Manohar also scored half-centuries to propel Karnataka to a big total.
Meanwhile, Nair's omission from the Champions Trophy squad will raise questions about the relevance for scoring heavily in domestic cricket.
Head of BCCI's selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, admitted that it was indeed tough to include Karun in a squad of 15 in the current situation.
“Yeah, it is tough. Those are really special performances. I mean, someone who averages – 700-plus, 750-plus. We did have a chat (about Karun),” Agarkar said in the press meet to announce the Indian squads. here on Saturday.
“But at the moment, to find a spot in this team is very difficult. I mean, look at the guys who've been picked. All average well in excess of mid-40s.
“So, unfortunately, you can't fit everyone in. It's a squad of 15. But those performances (like Karun) certainly make you take notice,” he added.
So, what precisely is the team combination that Agarkar was talking about? In domestic cricket, Karun bats the highest at No. 3, and at times, comes at either No. 4 or 5, depending on the conditions.
However, those slots in the Indian team are occupied by Virat Kohli, a titan in one-dayers, Shreyas Iyer, who averages close to 50 in ODIs, and either KL Rahul, a proven, flexible 50-over batter who also keep wickets, or Rishabh Pant, an explosive left-handed batsman and the first-choice stumper-batter.
(With PTI Inputs)
Topics mentioned in this article
Bonus up to:
₹10,000
Welcome Package
* New customers only. can get a 100% match bonus up to ₹10,000 on their first deposit.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - 100% bonus on your first deposit up to ₹10000. IQ Pari offers a variety of bonuses and promotions to its Indian customers. These bonuses can help you boost your bankroll and increase your chances of winning. However, it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully before claiming any bonus.
Get up to:
100% Bonus
Up to first ₹50,000
* New customers only.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: bigboost also offers a 50% bonus up to ₹25,000 on 2nd deposit. This bonus is subject to the same wagering requirement as the slot machine bonus.
Get up to:
100% Bonus
on the first deposit
up to 20,000 INR
* New customers only.
New players only. Register with Megapari and receive a 100% bonus to the maximum amount of 20,000 INR on the first deposit!
Get up to:
200% Bonus
Up to first ₹10,000
* New customers only.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: Davegas also offers a 200% bonus up to ₹10,000 for live casino games. This bonus is subject to the same wagering requirement as the slot machine bonus.
Bonus up to:
₹25000
Welcome Package
* 125% match bonus up to ₹25,000 on your first deposit.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: 125% match bonus up to ₹25,000 on your first deposit, if you deposit within the first hour of registering. 250 free spins on the slot game Starburst, if you deposit Rs. 15 or more within the first hour of registering
Get up to:
100% bonus up to ₹40,000
You can claim a 100% bonus up to ₹40,000 on your first deposit, plus 200 wager-free free spins on the popular slot game Book of Dead.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - Luckydreams Casino is offering a generous welcome bonus to new players from India. You can claim a 100% bonus up to ₹40,000 on your first deposit, plus 200 wager-free free spins on the popular slot game Book of Dead.
Get up to:
300% Bonus
and 200 Free spin
*New players can get a 300% casino deposit bonus and 200 free spin.
New players only. New players can get a 300% matched deposit bonus and 200 free spin. Welcome Offer for Gaming Casino - 100% 1st Deposit Bonus + 50 Free Spins and 200% Casino Bonus on 2nd Deposit.
Get up to:
300% bonus up to ₹372,000
You can claim a 300% bonus up to ₹372,000 on your first deposit. Deposit a min of ₹ 1,150 and get a bonus.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: Vbet Casino is offering a generous welcome bonus to new players from India. You can claim a 300% bonus up to ₹372,000 on your first deposit. Deposit a minimum of ₹ 1,150 and get a bonus.
Get upto :
100% up to ₹25,000 + Freebet ₹100 (on IPL)
It sounds too good to be true, but it is! Take your special first 100% deposit bonus up to ₹25,000 + Freebet ₹100 (on IPL) and increase your profit!
100% up to ₹25,000 + Freebet ₹100 (on IPL) It sounds too good to be true, but it is! Take your special first 100% deposit bonus up to ₹25,000 + Freebet ₹100 (on IPL) and increase your profit!
Get up to:
700% Bonus
on the first deposit
up to 40,000 INR
* New customers only.
New players only. Register with 4rabet and receive a 100% bonus to the maximum amount of 5,000 INR on the first deposit!