Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on Karun Nair’s omission from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming match against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which may not please many.

Karun Nair has impressed one and all with his incredible performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, where he finished as the top scorer with 779 runs with the help of five centuries in just eight innings at a grand average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124 .

After a stellar performance in the 50-over tournament, many called for India to return to the upcoming three-match ODI and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fortunately, the Indian selectors ignored the Vidarbha captain for India all-time.

Aakash Chopra defends the decision of the Indian selectors to ignore Karun Nair for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The BCCI and India selectors’ decision to ignore Karun Nair for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was criticized by former players and many fans, but Aakash Chopra felt it was appropriate to invite criticism. The commentator believes that the candidates did not make the wrong choice.

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Aakash Chopra said that Karun Nair’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 campaign was excellent, but it would not be fair for others to be overlooked by players based on a strong display in just one ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, the cricket pandit explained why Nair failed to replace established players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill in the upcoming 15-member squad. Defending the decision of the national selectors, Chopra emphasized that consistent performances are necessary for India to be selected, not just one tournament.

How can someone be elected based on Vijay Hazare’s performance? – Akash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube video: “There is a fight for Karun Nair to be in the team. Since he has scored so many runs, he said he is not knocking on the door but he is knocking. I saw somewhere that it was said that KL Rahul should be dropped. He has an average of 58 at number 4 and 5. He played well in the World Cup.”

The former Indian batsman further explained, “Someone said Shubman Gill should be dropped. It’s a joke that someone who has been doing consistently should be fired and someone else should be brought in. Karun Nair’s one-year-old Vijay Hazare has been a success. Such actions should be recognized, but will you pick someone else?” Based on Vijay Hazare’s performance, will it be okay since it’s just one race?”

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Aakash Chopra highlights Karun Nair’s numbers in the last two years of the Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove his point.

Justifying the selectors’ call, Chopra highlighted Nair’s numbers in the last two Vijay Hazare Trophy seasons, where he managed 230 runs at an average of 46 in the last season, and was dropped by Karnataka in the previous season.

He signed off and said, “He was about to quit cricket, but the family asked him to play elsewhere and find new pastures. Notably, Nair last played for India in 2017, and has played just two ODIs so far, scoring 46 runs at an average of 23.00.