Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach has responded to criticism around Karun Nair’s form, saying that his rhythm and tempo have been good, but made it clear that the team needs more runs from their top three.
33-year-old Karun Nair made his comeback to Indian Test team after eight long years, on the back of plenty of runs in the domestic circuit for Vidarbha. However, Nair’s current form could end his chances of featuring in the last two Tests of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
Nair made a whooping 863 runs in the previous Ranji season (2024-25) at an average of 53.93. Despite his domestic form, Karun has not justified his place in the eleven so far. He has not been able to convert stars into big ones. In the Tests so far, Nair has scored 131 runs from at an average of 21.83.
"Even someone like Karun, we feel his rhythm is good, his tempo is good. We want more runs from the three. But the message is mainly, let's really focus on what we've done well and tidy up the little things that have cost us results, essentially," Ryan told the reporters on July 17.
Ryan also highlighted the fact that while the batters have looted runs tremendously in the series, losing wickets in bunches has been a major reason for visitors losing two Tests.
"That might be counter-intuitive when you're 2-1 down in the series. But we feel like the guys have been excellent for large parts of the series. The repetition of losing lots of wickets in a very short space of time has obviously been the key feature of the two losses. Probably both times in Headingley and obviously overnight and first thing in the morning at Lord's, we feel the game cost us losing six wickets for 40 again,” he added.
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Who can replace Nair in playing XI?
With India 1-2 down in the series, the management might have to make changes to their playing XI in order to go equal with England at The Old Tafford, Manchester. India have two options to replace Nair. Sai Sudarshan can make his comeback or Abhimanyu Easwaran may get his debut cap.
Sudharsan made his debut in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, where he got out on duck in the first innings, and scored 30 in the second.