Karun Nair claims to be fittest Indian player, says triple ton was taken negatively

Mumbai: The Indian selectors raised a few eyebrows on Saturday during the announcement of the Indian squad for the two Test matches against West Indies in October. Not only was Rohit Sharma left out but also Karun Nair with former cricketers questioning the decisions of the MSK Prasad-led committee.

While the Yo-Yo test remains a mandatory prerequisite for a place in the national team with fitness becoming an important parameter for selection, Karun Nair has claimed he is the fittest player among the lot, according to team trainer Shankar Basu.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time with (Shanker) Basu Sir, our trainer and Sanjay Bangar sir as well, our batting coach. Obviously a lot of throwdowns and a lot of net sessions. But mainly I have been spending time with Basu Sir. According to him, I am the fittest person in the team right now. I am very proud of that and I just want to keep improving on that,” Nair was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.

Nair, who became the only Indian after Virender Sehwag to smash a triple century in the longest format, said he was disappointed on being ignored from the national scene despite such a colossal feat.

“That I feel my triple hundred was taken in a negative way. I was talking about it in a positive way. I took time to understand the feat I had achieved, that was the meaning of what I was trying to put across; it wasn't that it put me under pressure or anything, the only thing that bottled up for me was not getting picked after that. I haven't got the kind of opportunities I should have got after that. That's the only thing that's bottled up,” he added.

Dropped without getting a game in England, Karun Nair's exclusion from the home Tests against West Indies has baffled quite a few but chairman of selectors MSK Prasad Monday said the player himself has been explained the reasons.

"I personally spoke to Karun soon after the selection of the Test Team against the West Indies and also told the ways to make a comeback. The selection committee is very very clear with regard to the communication process," Prasad told PTI on Monday.

Prasad also explained that his colleague Devang Gandhi had spoken to the burly middle-order batsman in England when he was not being picked in the playing XI.

"Having said that we are very clear and candid in our communication process. My colleague Devang Gandhi spoke to Karun Nair at length in England to keep him motivated and wait for his opportunities," Prasad said.

Asked what is the way forward for Karun, Prasad said: "He will have to keep on piling runs in Ranji Trophy and whatever India A series is there."

"Karun is very much in the scheme of things for Test cricket. Right now, we have advised him to focus on performing in domestic and India A matches.