Sunil Gavaskar Backs Karun Nair's Return to India's Test Squad

Gavaskar Supports Nair's Selection

Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his support for Karun Nair's inclusion in India's revamped Test team for the upcoming series against England, highlighting the batter's impressive consistency and performance in red-ball cricket.

In an interview with a media outlet following the squad announcement, the cricket legend stated that Nair earned his spot back and noted that players like Jaydev Unadkat exemplify how perseverance can lead to success in Indian cricket.

"Even Jaydev played his first Test at a very young age, and then it took 13 years or so to play another Test. He persevered, he went on picking wickets in domestic cricket. Like Unadkat, Karun has kept on scoring big hundreds. That's why the selection committee had to bring him back. A man in form is one of your best bets. He is scoring runs, he also got the experience of County Championships," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar praised the decision to reinstate Nair, emphasizing the importance of current form and domestic achievements. Nair, who last appeared in Test cricket in 2017, has been a standout performer in the Ranji Trophy and boasts a triple century from a previous Test series against England.

Gavaskar's Advice for Sarfaraz Khan

While Sarfaraz Khan has garnered a fan following and performed reasonably well in his limited Test appearances, Gavaskar suggested that the young player must strive harder to secure his position in the playing XI. With increasing competition, Gavaskar conveyed a strong message regarding how players should seize their opportunities.

"It's tough, that's what cricket is all about. When you get opportunities, you have to make sure the place is yours. Even if you score a hundred, you should make sure that you don't go into your next innings thinking you scored a hundred in the previous knock. You have to get your eye in and get those runs again. You must not give anybody a chance to push you out of the team," he said.

He emphasized that maintaining consistency is crucial in international cricket and pointed out that it is the players' responsibility to secure their spots on the team.

"It's entirely up to you to ensure you cement that spot. You need to keep knocking on the doors and break the doors down."

Reflecting on Sarfaraz's absence from the squad, Gavaskar mentioned the lack of red-ball cricket following the tour of Australia, stating:

"I think it's a tough call because after the tour of Australia, there was no red-ball cricket. Yes, there was the Ranji Trophy, but he was injured. So, he didn't play. There was no way he could show what his form was. You have to be undroppable. We have seen in the past, if a team loses a series, the guys who are 13th, 14th, 15th in the squad get dropped. You have to take your chances," he concluded.

So far, Sarfaraz has participated in six Tests for India, accumulating 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including one century and three fifties.