Why was Karun Nair selected instead of Shreyas Iyer in Indian team for England test series? Revealed

Karun Nair was included in the Indian squad for the Test series against England on the back of the solid Ranji Trophy 2024-25.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the Indian squad for the test series against England. The two teams will face each other in the five-match series, which begins on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.

The Indian Cricket Team will be captained by Shubman Gill, who was named the new test skipper, and the team features some of the key domestic performers, including Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and others. Apart from this, experienced players KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah will also be present there.

The five-match series against England will be a comeback series for Karun Nair as well. The Vidarbha batter has been included in the Indian Cricket Team after 8 long years. His last game for the nation in whites came in 2017, a few innings after he slammed a triple ton against England at home.

Karun Nair was included in the Indian squad for the test series against England on the back of the solid Ranji Trophy 2024-25. Playing for Vidarbha, he slammed 863 runs from nine matches at an average of 54 in the tournament to go with four tons and two fifties. 

While Karun Nair got his opportunity, one of the big names that missed out was Shreyas Iyer. The Mumbai batter, since the last few years, has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit and also has looked a class apart in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for Punjab Kings. 

With Shreyas Iyer, who slammed around 500 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, not making the cut in the Indian Cricket Team for the England series, many have been wondering about the reasons behind his absence. However, now, it has been revealed as to why Karun Nair was picked over him. 

Aggressive intent of Shreyas Iyer compared to Karun Nair’s calmer demeanour – BCCI Source

As per a report in Cricblogger, it is learned that the selectors did not want an aggressive batsman like Shreyas Iyer and hence opted for a calmer player like Karun Nair. The BCCI source claimed that the selection committee also made it clear that they would pick players based on the performance of a particular format. 

“The aggressive intent of Shreyas Iyer compared to Karun Nair’s calmer demeanour at the crease is the main reason behind the Punjab Kings captain not getting picked by the selectors for the England series.” 

“The selectors made it clear a player’s white ball form can’t be a criterion for red ball team selection. This is probably for the first time that the selectors are deciding their teams in three formats based on the performance of a particular format,” said a BCCI source. 

Karun Nair is expected to be part of the playing XI in the England series. He would want to give his best and secure his place in the side for the ICC World Test Championship cycle 2025-27.

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