「ロコは調子が悪い…」：ハルバジャン・シン監督、カルン・ネールのインド代表入りを支持、二重基準を批判

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh minced no words in calling out the double standards of the national team when it came to ignoring domestic performers. His remarks come amid Karun Nair’s mind-boggling run in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy where he averages 664. There has been a long-standing trend in the India cricket team where players performing in the IPL are given chances in the national team over those who are consistent and doing well in domestic cricket.

Harbhajan demands Karun Nair’s return to Indian team

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Singh questioned why the rules were different for Karun when other players were picked based on performances in a couple of games or in the IPL. The ex-Indian spinner pointed out that while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were asked to play Ranji Trophy because they were out of form, others who did well in the domestic red-ball tournament were being ignored. He added that it would be unfair to leave out Karun Nair who averages 664 in VHT.

“Many are selected on the basis of just two games, some are just selected basis the IPL. So, why are rules different for him? People say Rohit and Virat are out of form, and you’re sending them to Ranji. But those who are playing Ranji and scoring runs… why are you ignoring them? When will these guys play? They are scoring runs here.” Harbhajan Singh said.

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Karun last played for India in 2017 following which he has been ignored. After being dropped by Karnataka in 2023, he moved on to Vidarbha and has had a phenomenal run so far, especially in VHT where he has emerged as the top run-getter. Despite scoring a triple hundred against England in the 5th Test in 2017 in Chennai, Nair was dropped from the team, raising eyebrows.

“I never understood how he was dropped after a triple century. It pains me that no one talks about players like him,” Singh added.