Former BCCI Selector hints at Karun Nair May Miss 4th Test IND vs ENG

Devang Gandhi on Karun Nair’s poor performance at the Lord’s 

Devang Gandhi is a former BCCI selector and current Delhi Ranji coach who has been vocal about Nair’s technical shortcomings in the recent India vs England 5-Test match series. 

In his recent interview with PTI via Deccan Herald, Gandhi pointed out flaws in Nair’s batting technique, which are affecting his performance and limiting him from scoring in the Test match against England. 

After closely observing Nairs’ Gandhi explained that Nair’s whole technique is wrong while lifting his front foot in the air when he wants to go back on the back foot, delaying him from hitting the ball. This fault in his batting is also exposing him to pace bowlers like Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Ben Stokes, who can deliver sharp, heavy balls. Many believed that his dismissal in the fourth innings is the point where India lost most of the momentum in their chase of 193 runs. Nair left a nip-backer from Carse and offered no shot before being trapped in front of the stumps as India went on to lose by 22 runs.

Gandhi also described how Nair’s hard work is not paying off due to his wrong technique and his lack of concentration. He also pointed out that Nair’s age factor is stopping him from showcasing his full potential, and it is time to give a chance to some younger batters like Sai Sudarshan for future stability in the Team. 

Who will be in the fourth Test match of India vs England, Karun Nair or Sai Sudarshan?

33-year-old Karun Nair, who comes from Karnataka, made a highly anticipated return to the Indian Test side after an eight-year wait, having last played in 2017. His comeback was fueled by a prolific run in domestic cricket, where he showcased his explosive batting, earning him a recall to the national team for the ongoing England tour. However, despite high expectations, Nair has struggled to repeat his domestic form in international success. 

In the three Tests played so far—at Headingley, Edgbaston, and Lord’s—Nair has managed only 131 runs across six innings, averaging a modest 21.83. It is believed that Nair might have played his last international game at Lord's. Notably, he is the only top-four batter from either team in the series yet to score a half-century. These stats raised a concern among the cricket community, including former players and experts like Devang Gandhi, Deep Dasgupta, Ravi Shastri, and Aakash Chopra.  

According to Devang Gandhi, Sai Sudarshan should be in the upcoming match, replacing Nair, which was also echoed by the former cricketer Deep Dasgupta. 

Dasgupta believes that Sudharsan, who looked composed during his brief stint, represents the future of Indian Test cricket and should be given a longer run in the side. Many experts, like former India head coach Ravi Shastri and veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane, expressed their disbelief and disappointment after Nair’s dismissal in the second innings at 40. Color commentator Aakash Chopra also thinks that India still has time to replace Karun Nair with Sai Sudarshan or Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is still waiting for his Test debut. 

However, not everyone’s opinion is the same on this matter. In fact, former Indian captain Anil Kumble took the side of Nair and wants him to continue the match. Kumble highlighted Nair’s 61-run partnership with KL Rahul in the first innings at Lord’s, which helped stabilize the innings after an early wicket.  

Well, Nair or Sudarshan? Team India is currently facing a difficult situation to save the series, led by Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir. They have to decide whether to persist with Nair, who brings experience and domestic form, or opt for a younger player like Sudharsan, who could offer long-term potential.