Is Karun Nair Back in the India ‘A’ Squad for the England Tour?
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Synopsis
Karun Nair's selection in the India 'A' squad marks a significant comeback as the team gears up for their tour of England. With key players set to join after the IPL playoffs, this tour could reshape the future of India's batting line-up.
Key Takeaways
- Karun Nair makes a notable return to the national scene.
- The India ‘A’ squad is preparing for a tour of England.
- Key players will join after the IPL playoffs.
- Nair's recent form has been impressive.
- The selection process faced challenges due to the IPL schedule.
New Delhi, May 16 (NationPress) Right-handed batsman Karun Nair has made a notable comeback to the national scene after being selected for the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India ‘A’ team set to tour England, commencing on May 30.
The India A team is slated to compete in two matches against the England Lions (May 30-June 2 in Canterbury and June 6-9 in Northampton) along with an intra-squad fixture against the senior India Test squad (June 13-16 in Beckenham).
Upon revealing the 18-member squad, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan will join the India ‘A’ team just before the second match against the England Lions, post the conclusion of IPL 2025 on June 3.
Nair, famous for scoring a triple century against England in Chennai in December 2016, amassed 863 runs at an impressive average of 53.93 during Vidarbha’s victorious Ranji Trophy 2024/25 campaign, ranking as the fourth-highest scorer in the tournament.
He also represented Northamptonshire in the Division 1 County Championships over the past two seasons - across 14 innings, he scored 736 runs at an average of 56.61, achieving two centuries with a top score of 202 not out.
The performances of Nair and Easwaran will be closely monitored by the Indian team management and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, as they aim to address significant gaps in the batting lineup following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Other Test players included in the India ‘A’ squad are Dhruv Jurel, who serves as vice-captain, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Sarfaraz Khan, who was sidelined due to a rib injury during the 2024/25 tour of Australia.
Uncapped talents such as Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Anshul Kamboj, Tushar Deshpande, and Harsh Dubey – the leading wicket-taker and Player of the Tournament in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy – have also been included. Khaleel Ahmed and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have represented India in white-ball formats, are part of the squad heading to England.
According to IANS, the selection process for the India ‘A’ squad proved challenging for Agarkar & Co, particularly with the IPL 2025 being paused for a week and the subsequent revised schedule released on Monday.
“There was considerable chaos, and hence the BCCI advised selectors to assemble the squad with players whose teams are unlikely to advance to the IPL 2025 playoffs. The India ‘A’ players named in the squad are expected to depart for England on May 25,” revealed a source familiar with the situation to IANS.
India A squad for England tour: Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (vc & wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey
Point of View
It's important to recognize that Karun Nair's inclusion in the India ‘A’ squad reflects not only his individual talent but also the ongoing evolution of the Indian cricket team. With crucial retirements reshaping the batting order, this selection could pave the way for new talent to emerge on the international stage.
NationPress
22/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Karun Nair's selection?
Karun Nair's inclusion in the India 'A' squad signals a potential resurgence in his cricketing career and offers a fresh perspective in the batting line-up post the retirements of key players.
When is the India 'A' tour to England scheduled?
The India 'A' tour to England is scheduled to start on May 30 and includes two matches against the England Lions.
Who else is part of the India 'A' squad?
The squad includes notable players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and several uncapped talents.
What are Nair's recent performances?
Karun Nair had an impressive run in the Ranji Trophy and County Championships, showcasing his batting prowess with significant runs and high averages.
How does the IPL affect the squad selection?
The ongoing IPL season influenced squad selections, as players who are unlikely to advance in the playoffs were prioritized for the tour.
