Non-inclusion of Karun Nair in the Hyderabad Test has not unsettled his family

Indian middle order batsman Karun Nair became the first batsman to be dropped immediately after scoring a triple century despite having no injury concerns what so ever. The Karnataka lad made way for the more experienced Ajinkya Rahane who has established himself as the mainstay of the middle order over the last couple of years in the one-off Test against Bangladesh at Hyderabad. Nair converted his maiden Test century into a triple ton in his last match for India against England.

All other batsmen Andy Sandham (car accident), Len Hutton (head injury) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (surgery on the heel) had missed their next test due to injury concerns after scoring a triple century in their previous Test. Karun Nair’s family though has no complaints as they feel it was inevitable as Rahane has been performing consistently over the past couple of years.

“It was fair to include Ajinkya Rahane in the side”, Karun’s father, Kaladharan Nair was quoted as saying by the Deccan Chronicle. “Rahane is a good player and deserved to be on the side and this was known to my son. Karun is a strong boy and I am sure he will take it in the right spirit. He will not lose confidence.Karun will get his dues and hopefully will get the chance to play against Australia. Australia is a stronger team (than Bangladesh) and we hope he gets many more runs against them,” his father added.

When asked whether Rahane being a senior player should have opted out of the only Test to let Karun retain his position, Karun’s father said that it is not fair to comment on this aspect. It is not fair to comment on what a batsman should do in such a situation. Every father wants his son to play the match. It was a team decision, which was guided by the captain and the coach and we respect the decision.”

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Karun Nair’s coach Shivanand is also of the same opinion and said that Rahane has scored heavily in the last couple of years and deserves a chance in the side ahead of Karun. “He was out of the team because of his injury. Now he has recovered and it was a good decision (by the team management) to have him included in the side”, the coach said.