Hard work pays. And when Karun Nair made it to the Indian Test team after a gap of nine years, he would have wanted to make it count. The 33-year-old started the England tour in great fashion, when he scored a double ton for India A vs England Lions, but come the Test series, it has been a real struggle.
From looking the part in Leeds & Edgbaston, it has been a repeat of same old story for Karun Nair at Lord’s. In fact, he seemed to struggle a great deal in the third Test. The first innings saw him get to 40, and after getting set, he edged one from Stokes, back to Joe Root at slips. And then in the second, he scored a streaky 14, and left an incoming delivery from Brydon Carse, to be adjudged LBW.
Karun Nair Fails Again
It seemed with the dismissal, that he had no clue, as to which way the ball was moving. Completely outclassed. So, this series, in 6 innings he has managed to score only 131 runs at an average of 21. And possibly might also mean the end of Karun Nair’s Test career. Even though one wouldn’t want that for him, but currently, he is a sitting duck for the English team.
And looking at where there series is currently, India cannot manage any slip ups in their batting, that has been clicking so well for them. One of the issues continuing with him also is, there is a certain Dhruv Jurel and Sai Sudharsan.. even Abhimantyu Easwaran waiting for their turns in the wings.
What are India’s Options?
What really works out of favour for Karun is, after his mammoth 303 in 2016, he hasn’t been able to get to a single fifty in his career, that would save his spot, at least for the next few matches. In fact, 40 has been his highest score till now. Maybe, the team management might want to give him another go in Old Trafford, but post that how many chances he’ll get, one can’t be sure. At this rate, this might well be the last for him, in India colours.
