ICC Champions Trophy 2025: No place for Karun Nair in the India squad?

Karun Nair, the captain of Vidarbha, has been making a huge impact in the domestic cricket scene with his sensational performances in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025. Nair has been the standout player of the tournament, leading his team to the final with a series of remarkable batting displays. Vidarbha will now face Karnataka in the final on Saturday, January 18, with Nair's scintillating form being a major highlight of their journey. Currently, Nair is the highest run-scorer of the tournament, having accumulated a staggering 752 runs from just eight matches, maintaining an average of 752, which is a truly remarkable feat. His consistency and ability to play match-winning knocks have been pivotal to Vidarbha’s success.

In the semifinal against Maharashtra, Nair played another brilliant knock, remaining unbeaten on 88* off 44 balls. His explosive innings guided Vidarbha to a 69-run victory, sealing their place in the final. Following his phenomenal run in the tournament, there has been growing speculation that Nair might catch the attention of the national selectors ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. His red-hot form with the bat and leadership qualities could make him a contender for a place in the Indian squad, adding further intrigue to his already impressive domestic career.

Karun Nair’s outstanding performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 have sparked a lot of discussions among cricket experts about his potential inclusion in the India squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The 33-year-old Vidarbha captain has been in sensational form, with several analysts and former cricketers praising his consistency and ability to score big runs. His blistering knocks have kept him in the spotlight, leading to speculation that he might catch the eye of the national selectors.

However, former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik shared his thoughts on Nair's chances of making it into the Champions Trophy squad. While acknowledging the Jodhpur-born batter's impressive form, Karthik expressed some reservations about his inclusion. He felt that despite Nair’s excellent run in domestic cricket, the current squad composition may not leave room for him. According to Karthik, while Nair’s performances are commendable, the competition for spots in the Indian team is intense, and it might be challenging for him to break into the squad at this point. Karthik's comments reflect the tough nature of selection for major tournaments like the Champions Trophy, where established players typically have an edge.

“Karun Nair, it’s been unreal to see the form that you’ve been in. Even Mayank Agarwal has been in some really good form. But the beauty is, it’s coming at a stage when the Indian ODI setup is almost ready to go. There can’t be too many changes" stated Dinesh Karthik in a recent conversation. 

“Yes, it’s very tempting to bring a Karun Nair into the setup, and I think he has earned the right to be part of the talks. But I don’t think he’ll make it to the Champions Trophy 2025 squad. But if he keeps going like this, why not? A form batter like that who plays fast and spin well, he’s a gun player, and I’m very happy for him," he added.