'Rohit Sharma Is Weak, Virat Kohli Only...": Ex-India Star Drops "Mentally Fit" Bombshell

Former India cricketer Surinder Khanna shared his thoughts on the omission of Karun Nair from the Champions Trophy squad despite an exceptional performer in first-class cricket. Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma held a press conference on Saturday to announce the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. "I think Karun Nair is a bit unlucky. I wish I was the chairman of selectors. He hit 300 in the test match, and after that he disappeared. Now suddenly the moon has come out again, so that moon should shine for 2-3 years and how many 35-36 year olds can you have in the team? It's a one-day format, you require quick movers in the fielding," Surinder Khanna said while speaking to ANI.

Nair was the top-run-getter not only for Vidarbha but also in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, having accumulated a massive 779 runs in seven matches at a mind-boggling average of 389.50 as he has remained unbeaten in six innings. Even after his stupendous performance in domestic cricket, the 33-year-old failed to find a spot in the 15-member squad.

In six Tests for India since his debut in 2016, he made 374 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.33, with best score of 303*. Nair also played two ODIs for India, scoring 46 runs with best score of 39.

Further, the 68-year-old raised questions on Rohit and stalwart batter Virat Kohli's fitness and said that they both should get "mentally fit" and focus on their games to come back to form.

"The captain is also weak. I mean, if you make Rohit Sharma's field on the boundary, then two runs will be easily taken. Virat Kohli also fields in slips and only does fielding inside the circle. Kohli is not making runs in the fielding, he is putting in a lot