Karun Nair questions South Zone omission after Duleep Trophy final snub
The Karnataka batter was left out of South Zone’s semi-final and final teams, then scored a century after returning to domestic preparations.
Karun Nair has questioned his omission from South Zone’s Duleep Trophy final XI, describing the decision as “inexplicable” after he was also left out of the semi-final.
Nair reposted an X post criticising his exclusion and added: “Inexplicable would be an understatement.” South Zone has not provided an explanation for leaving the Karnataka batter out of the final team.
South Zone captain Tilak Varma had previously described Nair as “just unlucky” and said the selection of Hyderabad batter Kodimela Himateja was a tactical decision. Varma said South Zone wanted a left-hander in the middle order because of the opposition’s left-arm spin.
Himateja was dismissed for a two-ball duck and was replaced by Devdutt Padikkal for the final. Nair was not recalled.
The decision attracted renewed scrutiny as East Zone reportedly scored 708 in the final, with Ishan Kishan making 270. Nair returned home to join Karnataka’s pre-season red-ball camp and later scored a century for KSCA Secretary XI against Chhattisgarh.
