Karun Nair’s long wait for a return to the India National Cricket Team once promised a fairy-tale comeback, but the reality has turned out to be far less glamorous.
With the Indian selectors scheduled to meet online on September 24 to finalize the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, Karun Nair is unlikely to find a place.
The 33-year-old batter had openly spoken about his desire for a second chance in international cricket. That chance arrived in England earlier this year during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. But the five-match Test series that gave him a lifeline has also left him vulnerable in every eye.
Selectors ready to move on from Karun Nair after England failure
Over four tests and eight innings, Karun Nair managed only 205 runs at an average of just over 25. The India-England Test series itself was dominated by batters, as more than 7,000 runs were scored, with the batters hitting 21 centuries and 29 half-centuries.
In that run-fest, Karun Nair could manage only one half-century, and the way he lost his wickets, the national selectors would certainly not ignore. After the England tour, he is absent from the action, and it will go against the batter when the selectors sit for the Test squad selection.
On the other hand, Devdutt Padikkal has burst into contention at the perfect moment. The left-handed batter reminded everyone of his talent by hammering a brilliant 150 for India A against the Australia A side in Lucknow.
He was even part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, making him a front-runner to replace Karun Nair in the Test squad for the upcoming Test series.
India’s batting core remains unchanged for the West Indies Tests
Meanwhile, there will not be wholesale changes in the Indian Test side. The batting core is expected to remain intact, with Shubman Gill leading the charge, supported by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and KL Rahul. Devdutt Padikkal is all but confirmed for the Test recall.
In the all-round department, India will continue to rely on their trusted spin-bowling trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel, with Kuldeep Yadav adding wrist-spin variety for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies at home.
Dhruv Jurel’s 140 against Australia A in the first unofficial Test has all but sealed his place as the first-choice wicketkeeper after Rishabh Pant was reportedly ruled out of the Test series against the West Indies.
N Jagadeesan, who featured as a replacement during the England series, is expected to be picked as the backup wicketkeeper.
Akash Deep to miss the home Test series
The pace attack is likely to feature Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. While Bumrah’s availability may depend on how the Asia Cup 2025 campaign concludes, it is being said that he will be fit to play both tests against the West Indies.
Akash Deep, who was part of the England tour, is still not fully recovered from the groin injury that he sustained during the Lord’s Test and may not be considered for the West Indies Tests. Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to be picked as the 15th member in the squad.
Notably, the two-match Test series will kick off in Ahmedabad on October 2, and New Delhi will host the final game on October 10.