Karun Nair Snubbed from India Champions Trophy Squad; Ajit Agarkar Explains Why

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Karun Nair's breathtaking form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy has made headlines, yet the 33-year-old batsman has been excluded from India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Nair astonishiny hiy 752 runs in just seven innings, averaging 752 with five centuries.

This propelled Vidarbha to the tournament final. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee opted to retain established names, leaving Nair out of the 15-man squad. Speaking to reporters during the squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.

"Those are really special performances. Someone who averages 700-plus in a tournament is exceptional. We had a chat about Karun Nair, but finding a spot in this team is challenging," Agarkar explained. He further clarified that the current lineup is packed with consistent performers.

They are all averaging in the mid-40s, making it tough to accommodate newcomers. India's Champions Trophy squad is led by Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul bolster the batting order.

Additionally, all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Washington Sundar add depth. Despite Nair's incredible domestic stats, the selectors decided to rely on proven names, citing team balance and competition for spots. Nair's form has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Alongside his Vijay Hazare exploits, he scored 560 runs in the Maharaja T20 Trophy and 255 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing consistency across formats. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also lauded Nair's performances.

However, this wasn't enough to sway the selectors. Agarkar hinted that Nair could still have a role in case of injuries or poor form. "We've taken notice of his performances. If there's a loss of form or injuries, there's certainly going to be a conversation around him," he said.

While Nair's omission has sparked debates, the selectors remain confident in their choices for the eight-team tournament. For now, the Vidarbha captain must await another opportunity to make his comeback to international cricket.