Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has strongly advocated for Sai Sudharsan to take the number three batting position for India in the ongoing Test series against England, replacing Karun Nair.
The Batting Conundrum
The Indian team management faces some critical decisions ahead of the fourth Test in Manchester. Beyond bowling changes due to injuries, a major focus is on the crucial number three spot in the batting lineup.
Karun Nair, who made a Test comeback after eight years in the first Test, has struggled to convert his starts into significant scores. While he initially played at number five, he was moved to the number three position for the Edgbaston and Lord’s Tests after Sai Sudharsan’s initial outing.
Manjrekar’s Clear Preference
Sanjay Manjrekar has openly expressed his view that Sai Sudharsan was his preferred choice for the number three slot from the very beginning of the series.
“Sai Sudharsan was always my number 3 after the first Test match, there was promise shown with 30 runs,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo. He believes that on flat pitches and against what he calls one of England’s weakest bowling attacks, it’s the ideal time to blood a young player.
Manjrekar further added, “Karun Nair at number 3 I didn’t agree with. Maybe the team management might just want to prove a point that we were backing the right horse and give him one more match, but I would like to see Sai Sudharsan at number 3.”
Karun Nair’s Recent Performance
Nair, known for his triple century against England in 2016, has had a disappointing run in this series. In the opening Test at Leeds, he scored a duck and then 20 runs.
Across the last two Tests, he has managed a total of 111 runs, with his highest score being 40 at Lord’s. He has failed to convert any of his innings into a half-century or a century, raising questions about his consistency at this level.
Sai Sudharsan: The Young Contender
At just 23, Sai Sudharsan boasts a strong First-Class record, with 1947 runs in 29 matches at an average just under 40, including seven hundreds and five fifties. His brief stint in the Leeds Test saw him score a duck in the first innings but then look composed during his 30-run knock in the second.
Manjrekar isn’t alone in backing Sudharsan. Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta also supported the youngster. “If there is only one change, it would be replacing Karun Nair with Sai Sudharsan,” Dasgupta had stated last week.
Dasgupta highlighted Nair’s inability to convert starts and his perceived lack of comfort at the crease. He also stressed the importance of investing in a younger talent like Sudharsan, especially with two Tests remaining in the series.
Team’s Earlier Perspective
Even India’s assistant coach, Ryan Ten Doeschate, had previously acknowledged the need for more runs from Karun Nair at number three. He noted that while Nair’s rhythm seemed good, the team desired higher scores from him.
- Sanjay Manjrekar strongly advocates for Sai Sudharsan as India’s No. 3 batsman.
- Karun Nair has struggled to convert his starts into substantial scores in the ongoing series.
- Other experts, like Deep Dasgupta, also support giving Sai Sudharsan an opportunity.
With the crucial Manchester Test approaching, all eyes will be on the team management to see who gets the nod for the vital number three batting position.
