Latest news with #VijayHazareTrophy
India Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
End of Karun Nair's Test career? Fans question batter's future after 4th Test drop
The fans are questioning if it is the end of the road for Karun Nair's Test career as he was dropped from the lineup for the Manchester Test on Wednesday, July 23. Karun had a fairytale return to the Indian team after more than 3000 days, as his performances on the domestic circuit caught the attention of the selectors. Karun played a pivotal role in Vidarbha's 2024–25 Ranji Trophy title, finishing as the fourth-highest run-getter of the season. He scored 863 runs from 16 innings at an average of 53.93, including four centuries and two fifties. The form continued in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, 779 runs from eight innings at a staggering average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04, featuring five hundreds and a fifty. He even impressed during the India A vs England Lions matches, scoring a double hundred in the first unofficial Test. advertisementENG vs IND, Manchester Test Updates However, the return to the Indian team hasn't been the best as he scored just 131 runs in six innings with an average just above 21. While there have been flashes of brilliance, Karun struggled to convert his starts into big scores, which something pundits and fans pointed out. The Indian team supporters were sympathetic towards the 33-year-old as many felt that this was the end of his Test career. Karun dropped despite Shubman Gill's backingThe interesting thing about Karun getting dropped was that he was publicly backed by India captain Shubman Gill just on the eve of the Manchester Test. Gill said that the 33-year-old had been batting well and they were hoping that he would turn things around soon. "Yes, we have had conversations with him, but we think he is batting well. We think Karun is betting well. The first match he didn't really play at this number. It's difficult when a player is making a comeback in a series like this. But I don't think there's been any issue with batting. He's been batting well. Sometimes it's also about getting that click. Once you're able to make your fifty, then you're able to get back into your zone and uh get some big runs. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for him so far, but, we are hopeful that he will be able to turn around," said Gill at the press weren't happy with this and questioned why the team management go out and support players on the eve of the match and then drop them from the lineup. Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif was unhappy with Gill's decision not to back Karun for one more game and said the skipper missed a chance to gain respect. India replaced Karun in the lineup with Sai Sudharsan as they made a total of three changes to the lineup for the Manchester Test. - EndsMust Watch
News18
7 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Anshul Kamboj's Coach Recalls When Harshit Rana Was Picked For 1st Test: ‘He Returned &…'
Anshul Kamboj impressed with his seam bowling in the India A matches against England Lions. However, India picked up Harshit Rana as a cover for 1st Test Anshul Kamboj on Wednesday became the 318 th player to represent India in Test cricket. India had to call for a back-up after coping with multiple injury blows ahead of the fourth Test against England in Manchester. With three bowling options unavailable for selection in Manchester, Kamboj was handed his debut cap to aid the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the must-win game. Kamboj's addition didn't come as a surprise. The right-arm pacer hogged the limelight with his exceptional bowling against Kerala in the last Ranji Trophy season. He picked up 10 wickets in an innings. With the figures of 10/49, Kamboj became only the third bowler in Ranji Trophy history to achieve this feat. Even before that, Kamboj was making waves in the domestic circuit. In the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he took 17 wickets in 10 matches, helping Haryana win the title. That performance helped him bag an IPL contract the following year from Mumbai Indians. Interestingly, cricket wasn't the game that he got into willfully. Since he was overweight in his childhood, his father, Udham Singh, put him in a cricket academy so that his son could shed some kilos. But there, Anshul found his calling. Speaking with Times Of India, Udham Singh said he never thought his son would play for the country someday. 'It all started with me wanting him to lose some weight. I had specifically asked Satish Rana (Kamboj's childhood coach) to make him bowl," Udham Singh was quoted as saying. 'He was overweight, and I just wanted to get him back in shape. I never thought he would end up playing for India. But the day I took him to the academy, he got hooked on the game, and it became his life," he added. He was part of the India A squad that played against the England Lions ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In a pace attack that included Mukesh Kumar and Harshit Rana, Kamboj impressed with his seam bowling. But while Harshit was kept as injury cover for the first Test, Kamboj didn't make the cut. Speaking to the publication, Kamboj's coach, Satish Rana, said that he feared that his ward would be disappointed. But that wasn't the case. 'He came back, and the very next morning, he was at the academy. He had brought a few Duke's balls with him and started bowling to a single stump," Rana said. 'I asked him, 'All well?'. He politely replied, 'Sir, I am hopeful.' He stayed optimistic — and look at him now. This boy is a perfect example of hard work, dedication, and discipline," the coach added. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 16:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
7 days ago
- Sport
- News18
All 10 Wickets In One Innings! India's Test Debutant Anshul Kamboj's Historic Spell In Ranji Trophy: WATCH
Anshul Kamboj, 24, debuts for India in the Test against England, replacing Akash Deep. The Karnal pacer, known for his 10-wicket Ranji haul, becomes India's 318th Test player. Young pace bowler Anshul Kamboj, 24, has earned his first India cap as he debuts in the ongoing Test against England in Manchester. Kamboj was recently added to India's squad for the final two matches of the series and now gets his break, replacing Akash Deep in the playing XI. The right-arm medium pacer from Karnal becomes the 318th player to represent India in Test cricket. Kamboj, though, is no stranger to the spotlight. He made national headlines last year during the Ranji Trophy when he delivered a sensational performance for Haryana against Kerala in Rohtak. In a stunning display of skill and stamina, Kamboj etched his name into the record books by taking all 10 wickets in a single innings—becoming just the third bowler in Ranji Trophy history to achieve this milestone. Then 23 years old, Kamboj accomplished the feat during Haryana's Group C clash at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Rohtak. His final figures were an astonishing 10 for 49 in 30.1 overs. Kamboj entered Day 3 of the match with eight wickets already to his name, and wrapped up the innings by dismissing Basil Thampi and Shoun Roger to complete the rare 10-wicket haul. With this performance, Kamboj joined an elite list of Indian bowlers to have taken all 10 wickets in an innings in First-Class cricket. Only five others have managed the feat, including legends like Anil Kumble, Subhash Gupte, and Debashish Mohanty. A Key Contributor in Vijay Hazare Trophy Kamboj was also a standout performer in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, finishing among the top wicket-takers with 17 dismissals from 10 matches. His contributions played a crucial role in helping Haryana secure their maiden title in the tournament. Most recently, Kamboj featured for India A in a four-day match against England Lions in Northampton from June 6 to 9, 2025. He impressed with two wickets in each innings and contributed an unbeaten 51 runs in the second innings of the drawn match. In the 2025 IPL season, Kamboj represented the Chennai Super Kings, who had acquired him for ₹3.40 crore in the previous year's mega auction. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 15:25 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Karun Nair set to return to Karnataka after prolific domestic cricket stint with Vidarbha
India batter Karun Nair will return to Karnataka after a hiatus of three years for the upcoming domestic season after Vidarbha Cricket Association granted him the No Objection Certificate (NOC), reported PTI. Karun played a major role in Vidarbha's title-winning run in the 2024-25 season, scoring 863 runs at an average of 53 and he also made a hundred in the final against Kerala. He had a six-month streak where he scored 1,897 runs and nine centuries across formats for Vidarbha, concluding with a Ranji Trophy title, 'It's tough to see him go as he was a big part of our team in the last couple of seasons. But it's his decision and we respect that and NOC was given. Hopefully, he will do well in the future seasons,' a VCA official told PTI. The successful stint with Vidarbha also helped Karun make a comeback to the Indian Test squad after eight years. His record-breaking run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-overs) — 779 runs with five centuries in a row — accentuated his comeback bid. Along with that strong outing, Nair also set a new List A record, scoring 542 runs without getting dismissed. His prolific domestic form, plus a few cameos in the IPL in prime time, helped Karun make a comeback into the national fold. After a double century in Canterbury in a tour match, followed by a 40 in Northampton in the second pratice game, Karun got his chance to return to Test cricket after a long gap. In the first Test, he got out on 0 and 20, batting at No 6. In the two Tests since, he made scores of 31, 26, 40 and 14, all at No 3 after India left out Sai Sudharsan. On Tuesday, captain Shubman Gill hinted at Karun retaining his place for the Manchester Test. 'We think Karun is batting well,' he told reporters on Tuesday about the comeback man, who has struggled to get going at No 3. 'The first match he didn't really play at his number (batted at 6). It's difficult when a player is making a comeback in a series like this, you know. But I don't think there's been any issue with his batting. Sometimes it's also about getting that click, you know. Once you're able to make your 50, then you're able to get back into your zone and get some big runs. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for him so far.' The 33-year-old Nair is set to face competition from some young Karnataka players such as R Smaran, KL Shrijith and KV Aneesh. However, his presence would certainly lend a touch of experience to the Karnataka batting line-up along with senior batter Mayank Agarawal. Meanwhile, Karnataka will miss the services of pacer Vasuki Koushik, who has obtained the NOC from the state association to play for Goa this season. 'I'd like to thank VCA for everything they've done for me in the last two years,' Karun is quoted as saying in a statement by ESPNCricinfo. 'Whatever I've achieved in the last two years is credit to how they managed me and took care of me like I was their own. Grateful to the VCA, and all the players and support staff. As a team I achieved special things. The atmosphere was so positive. The opportunity to lead such an amazing bunch during the Vijay Hazare and achieving success in the Ranji Trophy is something I'll look back on very fondly.' (With PTI inputs)
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Karun Nair to return to home state Karnataka for the upcoming domestic season
Batter Karun Nair is set to return to his home state of Karnataka for the upcoming domestic season, having obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA). Karun, who is currently with the Indian Test team in England, spent two fruitful seasons with Vidarbha. The 33-year-old made runs aplenty in Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy title run earlier this year. Karun also led Vidarbha to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final. His fine form earned him a Test cap after a gap of eight years. Karun will add experience to a young Karnataka batting lineup, which includes the likes of Devdutt Padikkal, R. Smaran and K.V. Aneesh. Karnataka suffered a disappointing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign, failing to make it to the knockout stages. Karun made his senior debut with Karnataka in 2012 (in a List A game), and last featured in a First Class match for Karnataka in 2022.
