Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Karun Nair Answers Duleep Trophy Omission With Century
Karun Nair was not chosen to play for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final.
The match was against East Zone.
Nair had scored 699 runs in the previous Ranji Trophy season.
After leaving the South Zone team, he played for KSCA’s Secretary XI.
He scored 104 runs in that match against Chhattisgarh.
Later, he replied online to someone questioning his omission.
Nair said that calling it “inexplicable” was an understatement.
Coach Vikram Verma said the team selected a different combination, including a left-handed batter, while also describing Nair’s departure as being for personal reasons.
Karun Nair was omitted from South Zone’s playing XI for the 2026 Duleep Trophy final against East Zone.
Nair had scored 699 runs in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season and was reportedly the most experienced player in the squad.
He scored 104 runs from 183 balls for KSCA’s Secretary XI against Chhattisgarh in the Thimmappaiah Memorial Tournament.
Nair responded on X to a post about his omission, writing, “Inexplicable would be an understatement,” with a laughing emoji.
South Zone coach Vikram Verma attributed the decision to team combination, while also saying Nair left the team for personal reasons.
- Who
- Karun Nair, South Zone coach Vikram Verma, South Zone, East Zone, and KSCA’s Secretary XI.
- What
- Nair was omitted from South Zone’s Duleep Trophy final playing XI, then scored a century for KSCA’s Secretary XI and criticized the decision on X.
- When
- During the 2026 Duleep Trophy final period; Nair played for KSCA’s Secretary XI on Monday and posted his response on Tuesday.
- Where
- The Duleep Trophy final was at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, while Nair’s other match was at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Verma said team combination was the selection reason; he also said Nair left the team for personal reasons.
South Zone’s Selection Explanation
Karun Nair’s Response
Reason for omission
South Zone’s Selection Explanation
Coach Vikram Verma said South Zone selected the combination it considered best for the team, including a left-handed middle-order batter after Devdutt Padikkal returned.
Karun Nair’s Response
Nair responded to a post questioning his absence by saying, “Inexplicable would be an understatement.”
Nair’s form and selection
South Zone’s Selection Explanation
Verma acknowledged that it was difficult to leave Nair out but maintained that team balance determined the decision.
Karun Nair’s Response
Nair scored 104 from 183 balls for KSCA’s Secretary XI after being omitted, following a 699-run Ranji Trophy season.
Why Nair left the squad
South Zone’s Selection Explanation
Verma said Nair left the South Zone team for personal reasons. Another report described him as leaving the final midway after not being selected for the playing XI.
Karun Nair’s Response
The reports do not provide Nair’s own explanation for leaving the South Zone team, focusing instead on his social-media reaction to the omission.
- Player
- Karun Nair
- Tournament
- 2026 Duleep Trophy
- Opposition
- East Zone
- Recent Ranji Trophy record
- 699 runs in the 2025-26 season
- Replacement appearance
- KSCA’s Secretary XI against Chhattisgarh
- Century
- 104 runs from 183 balls, including 12 boundaries and one six
- Coach’s explanation
- South Zone chose a different team combination, including a left-handed middle-order batter
