Karun Nair isn’t a No. 3 batter in my view – Sanjay Manjrekar

In the second Test at Edgbaston, Sudharsan was dropped and Karun Nair advanced to No. 3. The right-handed batter scored 31 in the first and 26 in the second. Manjrekar said he wouldn’t have dropped Sudharsan after one game.

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025’s third Test between India and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London begins on Thursday, July 10. Sanjay Manjrekar thinks Sai Sudharsan should bat at No. 3.

The series opener at Headingley saw Sudharsan’s Test debut. However, the youngster’s longest format debut was disappointing, scoring 0 and 30 at No. 3. Karun Nair batted at No. 6 in his first Indian Test match after eight years. He scored 0 and 20 in two innings.

Several intriguing choices were made in the past game that I disagreed with. Winning can hide those decisions. Since Sai Sudharsan is a young player for the future, I think he should have been pulled out after one match. Second innings, he was OK. I want to keep him, but this team management is willing to adjust based on the feeling “ESPN Cricinfo.

Manjrekar said Karun Nair is not a No. 3 batter. The cricketer-turned-commentator pushed the Indian side to reinstate Sudharsan at No. 3 at the Home of Cricket.

I prefer Sai Sudharsan at number three. I don’t consider Karun Nair No. 3. Dropping him after one Test when everyone is making massive hundreds is unfair. He said Sai deserves that chance too.

England’s new offence will be more powerful: Manjrekar

For the third Test, England replaced Josh Tongue with Jofra Archer. After four years, the 30-year-old will play Tests. Manjrekar encouraged the Indian squad to be careful with their batting, saying Shubman Gill’s massive scores in both Edgbaston Test innings obscured several difficulties.

“I want India to be realistic about the team’s talent. They must still bat carefully. Shubman Gill’s big hundreds helped India win the Test match. I can imagine him scoring 103 and 104, making the Test difficult to win. Many of the concerns are resolved by him. India must ensure proper batting. A revamped England offence may be more potent “Sanjay Manjrekar thought.