Karun Nair’s recent cryptic post on social media has reignited a familiar debate: should experience trump experimentation when India’s Test batting looks fragile? The former India batter, who hinted at the sting of being left out — “Some conditions carry a feel you know by heart – and the silence of not being out there adds its own sting” — has been in sensational domestic form.
Yet despite scoring heavily for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy, Nair was overlooked for the two-match home series against South Africa. In five Ranji games this season, Nair piled up runs at an astonishing clip — crossing the 600-run mark and averaging north of 100. Those numbers usually demand attention, but selectors opted for younger options.
In Kolkata, Washington Sundar was handed the No. 3 role; in Guwahati, Sai Sudharsan was given the nod. The choices underline a wider selection philosophy: backing youth even when the Test lineup lacks stability.
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India’s middle order is visibly stretched. With Shubman Gill sidelined by a neck injury, the team has experimented with unproven combinations — Sudharsan at three and Dhruv Jurel at four — both still finding their feet at the highest level. That gamble, while brave, has exposed India to uncomfortable risks in a must-win series.
Some conditions carry a feel you know by heart — and the silence of not being out there adds its own sting.
— Karun Nair (@karun126) November 24, 2025
The memory of Karun Nair’s 303 in Chennai against England in 2016 — a match-winning triple century that came after India conceded 400-plus — is especially relevant. It underlines how seasoned campaigners can change the course of a Test when the chips are down.
Karun’s limited run in the England tour, where he was shuffled between No.3 and No.6, clearly left him with unfinished business. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has been candid about selection rationale, admitting the board expected more from Nair in earlier outings. “We feel Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point,” Agarkar said, highlighting the fine margins selectors weigh when picking a squad.
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But when a team struggles to post competitive totals, questions will inevitably surface: do you persist with raw talent or opt for tried-and-tested dependability? India’s current predicament — teetering in a series and chasing stability in the middle order — makes that debate urgent. Nair’s social media nudge is more than personal frustration; it’s a timely reminder that selection policy must balance long-term planning with immediate needs. In crunch moments, a seasoned head with big-match temperament can often be the difference between collapse and comeback.
