Karun Nair has scored 131 runs in 6 innings in ongoing England Test series.
Nair, who reclaimed his place in the Indian Test side after eight years, has displayed class at the crease but hasn’t been able to convert his starts into meaningful scores. His scores in the first three games of the series read 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14.
After a string of low scores, Nair’s spot in the side has come under the scanner but Harbhajan emphasized that every player deserves a fair opportunity.
According to Harbhajan, Karun Nair should be given an extended run, akin to Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, who were afforded time to establish themselves in the team.
“Yes, Karun has not scored runs, but if you gave him a chance, then persist with him for a while. All players deserve a fair chance. Karun deserves it now, and the likes of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul deserved it in the past,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
Dropped from the Indian Test squad following the tour of England in 2018, Nair spent years battling setbacks, including being overlooked by his state team Karnataka following the 2022 domestic season.
Karun shifted his base to Vidarbha before the next season. He enjoyed a dream run in the 2024/25 season and was rewarded by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
The right-hander amassed 863 runs at an average of 53.93 in 9 Ranji Trophy matches, helping Vidarbha clinch the coveted title. He carried on his brilliant run of form to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, piling up 779 runs at an average of 389.50.
Harbhajan admitted that dropping young batter Sai Sudharsan after only one chance was not justified, but now that Nair has received three chances, the management should persist with him.
“So, the criteria should be the same for everyone. If others got five or sixes chances, then what crime has Karun committed? I feel that giving just one opportunity to Sai Sudharsan was not justified, but now that you have persisted with Karun till now, then play him here was well,” he remarked.
The penultimate Test of the five-match series is set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester.