‘Don’t think he will make it’ – Dinesh Karthik casts doubt about Karun Nair’s recall to Indian team for Champions Trophy 2025

Former India player Dinesh Karthik has stated during his chat on CRICBUZZ that Karun Nair may not earn a recall to the national side. This is despite the 33-year-old batter scoring a whopping 752 runs with the bat and after being dismissed just once so far. Nair scored an unbeaten 88 off 44 balls against Maharashtra with a strike rate of 200 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final. 

Dinesh Karthik said “Karun Nair, it’s been unreal to see the form that you’ve been in. Even Mayank Agarwal has been in some really good form. But the beauty is, it’s coming at a stage when the Indian ODI setup is almost ready to go. There can’t be too many changes,”

34-year-old Mayank Agarwal has scored 619 runs from nine matches with an average of 103. The veteran Indian batter has also hit four centuries this season with three centuries coming in successive matches. The final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy will feature Karnataka and Vidarbha locking horns as Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal face each other. 

Dinesh Karthik feels Karun Nair may not make it back to Indian side 

39-year-old Dinesh Karthik during his chat with CRICBUZZ also said “Yes, it’s very tempting to bring a Karun Nair into the setup, and I think he has earned the right to be part of the talks”. The statement has come after fans have started to clamour for Nair's return to the side after his run-scoring blitz in the Vijay Hazare tournament. 

“But I don’t think he’ll make it to the Champions Trophy squad. But if he keeps going like this, why not? A form batter like that who plays fast and spin well, he’s a gun player, and I’m very happy for him,” further added Dinesh Karthik.

Meanwhile, Karthik said that Yashasvi Jaiswal is a prime candidate to be picked for the ODI set-up after his amazing form during the Australia tour. Jaiswal is yet to play ODI cricket for India and is currently with Mumbai’s Ranji Team and is likely to play the second round of matches. 

Karthik said “Jaiswal) is rested for England T20Is. He has had a very long tour of Australia, mentally draining for a young kid like that. He needs a break. Playing a 5-match series, a Test series is not a joke. I think the selectors have done the right thing. 100% he will be in the ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy. Don’t worry. He is batting brilliantly well. These five T20s won’t make a difference to him.”