Karun Nair’s recent return to the Indian cricket team has sparked debate after he struggled to convert starts into significant scores against England.
Murali Kartik’s Blunt Assessment
Former cricketer Murali Kartik believes Karun Nair has yet to capitalize on his latest opportunity with the Indian team. Kartik noted Nair’s strong domestic performances had earned him a spot, even shifting him to the crucial No. 3 batting position.
However, Kartik frankly stated on Cricbuzz, “But has he grabbed the opportunity so far? I don’t think so, and there will be a lot of pressure on him.”
The Pressure to Perform
Kartik also emphasized the need for continuity in team selection, but stressed that players must convert their experience into runs. He questioned if Nair has truly done this, suggesting the answer is “maybe not.”
He highlighted that selectors will be weighing Nair’s future carefully for upcoming matches, with names like Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill potentially having a say.
Ravi Shastri Points to Concentration Lapses
Former India coach Ravi Shastri also weighed in, pinpointing a critical moment in the recent match at Lord’s. Shastri described Nair’s dismissal at 40/1 in the second innings as a “huge lapse in concentration.”
Speaking on the ICC Review, he noted that leaving a “straight ball, a nothing ball” was a crucial error. Shastri felt the timing of that dismissal “turned things around” for England.
A Call for New Blood
Adding to the discussion, former player Deep Dasgupta suggested a potential change for the 4th Test. He advocated for replacing Karun Nair with young talent Sai Sudharsan.
Dasgupta acknowledged Nair has gotten starts but highlighted his inability to convert them into substantial scores. He also noted that Nair “didn’t look very comfortable while batting either.”
Dasgupta believes investing in a younger player like Sudharsan now could benefit India in the long run, especially given the infrequent opportunities to play in England. He argued that if a change is necessary, it should be an investment in youth.
- Karun Nair has struggled to convert good starts into significant scores in his recent return.
- Cricket experts like Murali Kartik and Ravi Shastri have questioned his performance and concentration.
- There’s a growing sentiment to consider younger talent, such as Sai Sudharsan, for future matches.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on the team management to see if they stick with experience or opt for fresh talent.
