According to former India off-spinner R Ashwin, Nair has never played at number three, therefore elevating him to the crucial position might not have had a positive impact on his attitude. He did, however, commend young player Sai Sudharsan, who replaced Nair in the lineup and struck a determined half-century on Day 1.
After failing to live up to his promise in the first three Test matches against England in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Karun Nair was finally fired by the Indian team management. After more than eight years, the right-handed hitter returned to international cricket. The 33-year-old could only muster 131 runs from six innings at an average of 21.83, so his comeback wasn’t very noteworthy.
In the most recent video on his YouTube channel, R Ashwin stated, “I believe he needs to hold that No. 3 position for the foreseeable future in order to be able to provide a little stability for the team.”
In the first Test, Karun Nair batted at number six and scored between 0 and 20. He moved up to No. 3 in the last two games, but the change in batting position had no effect on his luck. After that, he was left out of the starting lineup for the third Test match in Manchester, which began on Wednesday, July 23.
“Never has Karun Nair played at number three.” Now, you have blocked his mentality by starting him at number three. But Sai Sudharsan deserves praise because it’s difficult for a young player to come into the fourth Test and react the way he did after being dropped and with India behind 1-2 in the series.
A well-earned hundred was lost by Sai Sudharsan: Ashwin
Sudharsan struck seven boundaries and scored 61 runs off 151 balls. Ashwin likened the Tamil Nadu batter’s consistency to that of Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara have been observed batting at number three. That kind of stability was displayed by Sai Sudharsan. He managed to leave the ball; the wicket was undoubtedly decent, but he had to get over a difficult stretch. He was justified in scoring those runs. Being a major supporter of him, I am a little upset. He had the opportunity to score a hundred. Runs are a key part of his diet. Ashwin said, “He just missed out on a well-earned hundred.”
India was asked to bat first by England and ended Day 1 at 264/4. In the five-match Test series, the visitors are behind 1-2.