There has been a lot of focus on Karun Nair‘s performance in the England Test series. Karun Nair has got starts but failed to capitalize and make an impact in 3 Tests so far with 131 runs in 6 innings. India can’t afford to lose the Manchester Test match as they are already trailing by 1-2 after a heartbreaking defeat at the Lord’s Test match, which shook World Cricket.
England’s performance hasn’t been that great across the batting & bowling departments. Ben Stokes bowled his heart out in 2nd innings, and his leadership was quite spot on as the field placements were spot on even when Jasprit Bumrah & Ravindra Jadeja irked English bowlers and almost pulled off a heist
Farookh Engineer slams No. 3 batter Karun Nair for his dismal performance
Former wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has slammed Karun Nair for his inconsistent run at No.3 for India during the ongoing series against England. Karun, who made a return to the Indian team after more than 3000 days away, has failed to live up to the hype of being a run machine on the Indian domestic circuit.
So far, in the three Tests he has played, the 33-year-old has scored just 131 runs at an average of 21.83. While Karun Nair has made some good starts, he hasn’t been able to capitalise on it, something that Engineer isn’t happy about. Speaking to TOI, the former India wicketkeeper said that while Karun Nair has scored some beautiful cameos, he needs to score bigger as the expectations at No.3 is much higher.
“Karun Nair has been getting brilliant 20s and 30s. He’s (Nair) scored beautiful 30 runs, beautiful cover drives and all that. But a beautiful 30 is not expected from a No. 3. You’ve got to get a not-so-beautiful 100. You need runs on the board. You need (to score) bigger. The expectation should be much higher.” Â said Engineer.
With Karun’s indifferent form a concern, calls have been made for Sai Sudharsan to make a return to the side. The southpaw played in the first match and scored 30 in the second innings. Engineer said that while he hasn’t seen a lot of the Tamil Nadu batter, India should pick the best XI for the match.
Farookh Engineer said that India shouldn’t look at the age of Sudharsan and make him play the Manchester Test if he is good enough.
“We should pick the best XI. I haven’t seen much of Sai Sudharsan. You’ve got to pick the best player for the time being. Who’s going to give you maximum? You are playing for your country. Your reputation is at stake. So, I would say, forget the age. If he’s good, play him to win this Test match,” said Engineer.
India assistant Ryan ten Doeschate recently said that while Karun has been maintaining good rhythm and tempo, more runs are expected from him at No.3.
The Vidarbha batter was sweating runs in pursuit of his elusive dream and understands the foundation on which his career has been rebuilt. As he arrives at the most prestigious venue in the cricketing world at a crucial juncture in his career, Karun Nair finds himself with his back against the wall-another poor show could well mark the end of the road.
He’s all too familiar with the agony a player endures after being shown the door, and the steep climb required to return to the reckoning. Hence, the time has come for Karun Nair to finally repay the faith shown by the team management and do justice to the hard yards he’s put in to once again wear the India badge on his shirt.
With India set to play the 4th Test of the series at Old Trafford from July 23, the team management now faces a crucial decision: stick with the experienced Nair or give a longer run to the 21-year-old Sai Sudharsan, who looked composed in his debut Test at Leeds.The indications are clear: patience with Karun Nair is wearing thin, and with young talent knocking on the door, his brief return to the Indian Test team could already be nearing its end. Whether the selectors give him one last chance at Old Trafford remains to be seen.
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