Karun Nair asked for a chance from Dear Cricket. It gave him, not just one but four. England gifted him two flat decks in Leeds and Birmingham, where 3365 runs were scored in eight innings. Yet, Nair returned with just 77 runs out of those at an average of 19.25. His highest score was 32 in those four innings. With the IND vs ENG Lord’s Test coming up on July 19, one can’t help but wonder if there is a place for 34-year-old Nair with Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel and Abhimanyu Easwaran — all waiting for a chance to shine.
While India head coach Gautam Gambhir reposed his faith in Karun Nair before the IND vs ENG Test series began, things have changed since. He batted at No 3 in Leeds, scoring 0 & 20. In Birmingham, the flattest of the surfaces of the two Tests, he returned with 31 and 26. There was a clear lack of confidence. With India winning in Birmingham, Nair’s return may have been overlooked but at Lord’s things could be different.
Karun Nair in Leeds & Birmingham Tests
Total Runs: 77 runs (0, 20, 31 and 26) Innings: 4 innings Average: 19.25 Balls Faced: 154 Dismissal Types: Caught (4) – 2 in the slips, 1 at short cover, 1 caught and bowled.Brydon Carse has our first of the morning! He's deserved that and Karun Nair is gone for 2⃣6⃣. pic.twitter.com/lOCXPj6rdJ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 5, 2025Is it time to move on from Karun Nair?
Sai Sudharsan made his Test debut in Leeds, scoring a duck and 30. He had to be sacrificed in Leeds to get the combination right. While there are still three matches to go, a change in the batting combination is unlikely. However, if Gambhir wants to move on from
“It’s always good to have the experience of a guy who’s played a bit of county cricket. There is when he is in a very good form, where he’s got a 200 for India A. We will not judge someone by just one or two Test matches. I think if someone has scored heaps of runs, I think he will be given a decent run so that he can showcase his talent at this level as well,” Gambhir said at the pre-departure press conference.
While Gambhir was right not to judge Nair on his failure on return to Test cricket after eight years, it could be time. Nair has fallen twice at slips, once at covers trying to go for a drive. He was once caught and bowled, which was termed a soft dismissal. In the two matches, Nair has batted at No 6 and No 3, both he is comfortable with. But at No 3, when the pitch had nothing to offer for bowlers, he failed to take that chance, extending India’s No 3 crisis.
Who should replace Nair?
Nair might get a third chance. But beyond that, it is unlikely. However, if Gambhir pulls the plug on him at the IND vs ENG Lord’s Test, there are three options. Abhimanyu Easwaran, although a backup opener, can bat at No 3 as well. Sai Sudharsan is India’s long-term vision at No 3. While he is young and lacks experience, the flat, batting-friendly pitches in England will give him confidence. The third option is to go with Dhruv Jurel.
While Jurel is not a top-order batter, he has shown his prowess in four Tests, playing mostly as a lower-order batter. In those six innings, Jurel scored a fighting fifty. For India A against England Lions, Jurel scored 94 & 53 and 52 & 28. If India continue to experiment with No 3 spot, Jurel isn’t a bad option.
With Jasprit Bumrah set to return in the IND vs ENG Lord’s Test, India might make a direct swap with Prasidh Krishna. However, they want to tinker with the combination further, Sudharsan could come in at No 3 in place of Nair. However, Nair is likely to get another chance.
Long rope or no hope? India Cricket Team faces Karun Nair dilemma ahead of IND vs ENG Lord’s Test Inside Sport India.
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