The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed why Karun Nair didn’t get a spot in India’s upcoming two-match Test squad for the West Indies. Team India will
lock horns against the Windies side for a couple of Tests between October 2 and October 14. In the squad, right-handed batter Karun Nair’s name was missing. Nair was a part of India’s squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. He made a comeback in India’s Test squad after eight years. Appearing in eight innings of four matches, he scored 205 runs at an average of 25.62.
FollowingIndia’s announcement for home Tests against West Indies, when Agarkar was queried about Nair’s exclusion, the former India pacer said Nair was expected to be better with his bat in the England series. "Frankly, we expected a little bit more from Karun. He played four Tests, and you spoke about one innings. That's the way it is. We feel Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point. Wish we could give everyone 15-20 Tests. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Padikkal has been in the Test squad. He was in the Test squad for BGT and played Dharamshala Test against England. He has shown some decent form with India A. Frankly, expected more from Karun Nair," remarked Agarkar.
Devdutt Padikkal returns to India’s Test squad
Devdutt Padikkal has been named in India’s Test squad against the West Indies. Padikkal was dropped from the team after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. In the five-match series against the Aussie side, the left-handed batter was given the chance to play the opening game in Perth and he scored 0 and 25 in the contest.
In the upcoming series, Padikkal will look to be impactful with his bat to cement his spot in the Test squad. Padikkal made his Test debut for India against England in March 2024 in Dharamsala. In his maiden red-ball game, he scored an impressive 65.
