Karun Nair Getting Snubbed From India’s Champions Trophy 

India's 15-man team for the forthcoming England ODI series and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was revealed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar at a press conference on Saturday. Indian captain Rohit Sharma attended the ceremony, but head coach Gautam Gambhir made no appearance. But one of the most buzzed-about things after the squad announcement was Karun Nair's exclusion despite having put in a spectacular show in domestic cricket.

Karun Nair's Unparalleled Vijay Hazare Trophy Campaign

Even after his outstanding display of form during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun Nair did not find a place in the team. The 32-year-old batsman scored an unprecedented 752 runs from only seven matches, scoring at an unprecedented average of 752. He achieved five hundreds and a half-century in the matches, with a crucial role to play in guiding Vidarbha to the finals of the competition.

Nair will play the final against Karnataka on Saturday, and his performances have received unanimous acclaim. Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, too, has praised Karun's remarkable performances and work ethic.

"Scoring 752 runs in 7 innings with 5 centuries is nothing short of phenomenal, @karun126 (Karun Nair). Efforts like these do not occur overnight, they are a result of immense dedication and hard work. Keep performing well and make every moment count!" Tendulkar posted on X.

Social Media Furore Over Karun Nair's Snub

After the exclusion of Karun from the Champions Trophy team, some cricket enthusiasts and experts criticized the decision on their social media posts. Most wondered how the selection committee could ignore a player with such a brilliant domestic performance.

One of the fans posted: "Karun Nair bro you just born in the wrong country ????"

One more tweet emphasized the lack of consistency in choices: "NO KARUN NAIR. Ajit Agarkar said, 'Averaging 750+ is merely insane, yet it is a team of 15, so we cannot accommodate everyone.' Yet you accommodate Rishabh Pant everywhere without such a performance. Hypocrisy ????"

Former Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami also expressed his dismay at the selection policy, saying: "Karun Nair not being selected is like defying your own rule of making domestic cricket compulsory. Gutted for him! #ChampionsTrophy2025"

Injustice to Domestic Performers?

The Karun Nair exclusion has raised serious questions regarding India's selection process. Although selectors have tended to highlight the use of domestic performances as a criterion to earn selection into the national team, the exclusion of Nair goes against that argument. Fans and analysts feel that the cricketer who has been performing consistently at the top level in domestic cricket should find a spot in the team.

With the Champions Trophy being among the most coveted tournaments in international cricket, the selection committee's move has raised eyebrows as to whether domestic performers are being rewarded. With Karun Nair still basking in glory on the domestic front, the pressure on selectors to explain his exclusion will only grow in the days to come.