"He Deserved Another Chance": Ajinkya Rahane Questions BCCI's Treatment of Karun Nair After Test Snub Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has joined a growing chorus of voices questioning the BCCI's decision to drop Karun Nair from India's Test squad, arguing that the Karnataka batsman deserved more opportunities after waiting over eight years for his international comeback. Rahane's criticism comes as Nair continues to pile on runs in domestic cricket, leaving many to wonder whether India's selection policy truly rewards consistent performers at the first-class level.

The Rise, Fall, and Brief Return

Karun Nair's Test career has been one of cricket's most perplexing stories. After scoring a triple century (303*) against England at Chennai in 2016—becoming only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to achieve the feat—Nair was inexplicably dropped and spent more than 3,000 days in the wilderness.

His long-awaited recall came during India's tour of England earlier this year for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Playing four of the five Tests, Nair scored 205 runs at an average of 25.62, including a crucial half-century (57) in the final Test at The Oval—a match India won by just six runs to draw the series 2-2.

Despite his contribution in that high-pressure contest, Nair was dropped from the squad for the subsequent two-match home series against West Indies, which India won 2-0. The selectors instead backed young left-hander Devdutt Padikkal, who had impressed with a century for India A against Australia A.

Rahane Speaks Out

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Rahane expressed his disappointment with the selectors' decision, emphasizing that Nair's consistent domestic performances warranted more faith from the team management.

"We have seen it in the last two-three series; Karun Nair performed consistently in domestic cricket, won matches, and was rewarded with a Test call-up. Though I think he should have gotten another chance," Rahane said.

He added: "You also spoke about Abhimanyu Easwaran. He has also performed well in domestic cricket for years and scored runs with a good average. But he has not made his debut yet. I am sure it will happen soon."

Rahane's comments reflect a broader frustration among former players about the lack of clarity and consistency in India's selection policies, particularly when it comes to rewarding domestic excellence.

Pujara Echoes Similar Sentiments

Former India batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara—who himself faced the axe despite being India's most reliable Test batter for years—also weighed in on the issue, calling for domestic performance to be the primary criterion for Test selection.

"When players perform well in domestic cricket, they deserve to be rewarded. If a player performs well in domestic cricket and then gets picked in the Test team, it encourages them, and I believe that this should continue. The Test team's selection should be purely on the basis of performance in domestic cricket," Pujara said.

Pujara's words carry weight, given his own experience of being dropped despite a stellar first-class record. His advocacy for domestic cricket underscores a growing belief that India's selectors are prioritizing perceived potential over proven performance.

Nair's Response: "I Thought I Contributed" When the squad for the West Indies series was announced on September 25, Nair was left heartbroken. Speaking exclusively to Times of India, he struggled to hide his disappointment.

"Yes, I did expect the selection. I don't know what to say. No words. I don't have many comments to make. It's very difficult for me to answer," Nair said. "You should probably ask the selectors what they are thinking. The only thing is, in the last Test match, I scored a fifty when no one else managed in the first innings. So, yeah, I thought I contributed to the team, especially in the last game that we won. But, yeah, it is what it is. Those things don't matter."

His 57 at The Oval came on a challenging pitch under immense pressure, with India eventually winning by just six runs. In a game decided by the narrowest of margins, Nair's contribution was undeniably significant.

The Selectors' Justification

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar defended the decision, stating that the panel had expected more from Nair during the England series and saw greater value in Devdutt Padikkal's form.

"We felt Karun didn't do enough in England to warrant continuation. Devdutt has been with the squad and has shown consistent form with India A, including a recent century. We thought it was the right time to back him," Agarkar said at the squad announcement press conference.

The explanation, however, has failed to convince many observers, who point out that Nair was shuffled between No. 3 and No. 6 during the England series—hardly an ideal scenario for a player trying to reestablish himself after eight years away.

Nair's Domestic Dominance

Nair has responded to his exclusion the only way he knows how: with the bat. On October 26, he smashed an unbeaten 174 against Goa in the Ranji Trophy, steering Karnataka out of trouble after they had slumped to 128/5. It was his 25th first-class century and a reminder of his class at the domestic level.

Moreover, Nair has been among the leading run-scorers in the Ranji Trophy over the past three seasons, consistently averaging over 50. His performances directly led to his England recall, yet one modest series seems to have closed the door on his international aspirations once again.

Adding to his frustration, Nair was also overlooked for the India A squad for the ongoing two-match series against South Africa A—a snub that former India batter Mohammad Kaif described as having "a soft corner" for Nair given his Oval contribution.

The Broader Debate: Domestic Cricket vs. Potential The Karun Nair saga has reignited a long-standing debate in Indian cricket: should selection be based purely on domestic performance, or should selectors back perceived potential and youth?

Critics argue that India's approach has become inconsistent. Players like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have been fast-tracked based on domestic success, while others like Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran—despite years of prolific scoring—have been repeatedly overlooked or given fleeting opportunities.

Former cricketers and fans alike are asking: What message does this send to players toiling in domestic cricket? If even a triple-centurion and consistent Ranji Trophy performer can't earn a sustained run in the team, what hope do others have?

What's Next for Nair? At 33, time is running out for Karun Nair to resurrect his international career. With the South Africa Test series starting November 14, followed by tours to New Zealand and Sri Lanka, opportunities for middle-order batters are limited—especially with Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (when fit), and Sarfaraz Khan ahead in the pecking order.

Unless injuries or dramatic loss of form open the door, Nair may have to accept that his India career is over—a cruel reality for someone who once scored 303 not out in a Test match and continues to dominate domestic cricket.

For now, all he can do is keep scoring runs and hope that the selectors remember the words of Ajinkya Rahane: "He should have gotten another chance."