Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Karun Nair deserves one more chance in the Test team, calling it his “final opportunity” to cement his place.
Nair’s Rollercoaster Return
Karun Nair is back in the Indian Test squad after a strong showing in domestic cricket. However, despite looking promising with his majestic driving of the cricket ball, he hasn’t yet converted his starts into significant scores.
His current form has caught the attention of cricketing pundits, including Aakash Chopra, who highlighted the batsman’s struggle for runs since his return to the national side.
A “Final Chance” for Redemption
“I would say give Karun Nair one more chance for sure, because this is now Karun Nair’s final chance,” Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. He recalled Nair’s earlier career, where he scored a magnificent triple century but was subsequently dropped from the team, a decision Chopra deemed “slightly unfair.”
Chopra emphasized that Nair fought hard for a second opportunity, excelling in domestic cricket, particularly with Vidarbha. This dedication earned him a recall to the national side, proving his hunger to play for India again.
The Importance of Extended Opportunity
“However, at some stage, that story will also end, and this is the match,” Chopra observed. He pointed out that while Nair has shown glimpses of his batting prowess in the first two matches of his comeback, he hasn’t managed to score big runs.
In the second Test at Edgbaston, Nair was promoted to number three after Sai Sudharsan was dropped and Washington Sundar was brought into the side. Chopra believes this shift in the lineup also necessitates giving Nair a fair run to prove his capabilities in a crucial batting position.
Fair Play and Player Development
“He was kept and Sai Sudharsan was dropped. I would say give him a minimum of one more Test match,” Chopra asserted. He suggested that six innings would be a reasonable benchmark before making a definitive decision on a player’s future.
Chopra’s philosophy is to err on the side of giving a player one extra game rather than one fewer. He stressed that comebacks are challenging, and players need sufficient chances to either succeed or fail conclusively.
The lineup also saw Nitish Kumar Reddy’s inclusion. While Reddy offers both batting and bowling options, Chopra noted he isn’t as effective a bowler as Shardul Thakur, highlighting the strategic choices being made in team selection alongside Karun Nair’s situation.
- Aakash Chopra advocates for Karun Nair to receive one more Test match opportunity.
- Chopra views this as Nair’s “final chance” to establish himself after a previous unfair dropping despite a triple century.
- He believes players on comeback trails need ample opportunities (suggesting six innings) to prove their worth.
- Team selection changes saw Nair promoted to number three, replacing Sai Sudharsan, which Chopra feels warrants more chances.
The cricketing world will keenly watch Karun Nair’s upcoming performance as he looks to capitalize on what Aakash Chopra calls his ultimate chance to solidify his position in the Indian Test team.
