Karun Nair Dropped, Padikkal Named for India-West Indies Tests

Dubai: Karun Nair’s comeback to the Indian Test team has ended abruptly after chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies.

Nair, 33, who returned to the national side earlier this year after more than eight years, featured in four of the five Tests against England. However, he managed only 205 runs with a highest score of 56, averaging 25.62. Despite being tried in multiple batting slots from No. 3 to No. 6, he failed to establish consistency.

Speaking at the squad announcement, Agarkar was frank about the decision. “We expected more from Karun Nair. It can’t just come down to one innings. Padikkal offers more in terms of current form and long-term potential,” he said.

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Devdutt Padikkal, 25, has been named in the squad in place of Nair. The left-handed batter is regarded as one of India’s most promising red-ball talents. He was part of the Test squad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and also played in the Dharamshala Test against England. Recently, he scored a century in the unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow, further cementing his case.

Agarkar stressed the selectors’ focus on present form and future planning. “We’d love to give every player 15-20 games, but that’s just not realistic under the present circumstances,” he said, underlining the intense competition for places in India’s Test setup.

For Nair, the decision is a setback in a career that once promised much. The middle-order batter scored a triple century in his third Test in 2016, but injuries, lack of consistency, and missed chances hindered his rise. His latest recall was viewed as a final chance to revive his Test career, but he could not deliver the expected performances.

While Agarkar stopped short of declaring Nair’s international journey over, the move signals India’s shift towards grooming younger talents like Padikkal to strengthen the middle order for future challenges.

India’s two-Test series against the West Indies will begin next month, with Padikkal expected to feature prominently as the selectors look to inject fresh energy into the batting lineup.