IND v AFG 2018: Afghanistan spinners are too young for Test cricket, says Karun Nair

Afghanistan will play against India in the one-off Test on June 14.

Karun Nair might get a place in the playing XI against Afghanistan | Source PTI

On June 14, Chinnaswamy Stadium will witness Afghanistan play India in their maiden Test match in cricket history. Indian batsman, Karun Nair feels that Afghanistan spinners are yet to prove themselves in Test cricket format. After Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Stanikzai commented earlier that they have better spinners than India. Karun Nair has come forward to talk that the spinners are yet to prove their mettle in Test format.
 
Speaking in a pre-match conference, Karun Nair said, “That was a big statement to make considering Afghanistan haven’t played Test cricket. All our spinners are proven wicket-takers in Test cricket, so there is nothing much to say there.”

Despite Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman performing so well in the past few series, the right-hand batsman thinks it is too early to judge Afghan spinners.  For Indian cricket team, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will play the role of spinners.

“We all have played Rashid in the IPL. I think Test matches are a totally different ball game. No one has played him in the longer format, and I’m sure he hasn’t bowled much too with the red ball. I think it’s going to be a challenge for everyone.”

When talking about his IPL teammate, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, he added, “I can read it from the hand. I think that’s the best way to play spin. He is a good bowler but we’ll have to wait and watch what happens in the Test match.” 

After Virender Sehwag, Karun Nair holds the record of hammering a triple hundred in the Test cricket. He scored 303 runs against England at Chennai cricket ground. The Karnataka born cricketer is getting back to Indian cricket team after a gap of one-year.

“I am very happy to make a comeback in the Test squad. It’s been a while now since I was part of the Test team. I have worked really hard in the past one and a half year and I know I have become a better cricketer. I am looking forward to do well with the team.

“For me still there is a long way to go. I still have this Test and an India A series to play. I am not thinking too far ahead and obviously, the A series is in England, so the preparations are going on well. But I want to do well in this Test first and then move forward.”

He also recalled his extravagant triple hundred against England, that saw him register a world record.

“It’s been a long time since my triple hundred. I don’t really think about it. It’s a good feeling to have such a milestone to your name and to be the second person from India to score a triple century, but I have moved on. I am looking to win matches for the team and play well in situations where my team needs me.

“In the last one and a half year out of the team, I have tried to improve my skills. I have done a lot in the time I have spent out of the team. I scored some runs in the domestic season as well. So I know from within that I have become better from what I was two years back. I would like to take that confidence to the games I play in future,” Nair concluded.

(Inputs from CricketNext)
 

 
 

By Kunal Kataria - 12 Jun, 2018

    Share Via