What could have been a grand return to Test cricket has turned out to be a nightmare. Karun Nair has given selectors a reason not to look back at players above 34. With a 21.83 average on two batting heavens, Nair has given every reason to the selectors to drop him. His brain fade moment in the IND vs ENG Lord’s Test could be his last moment in an India jersey. But that could be good news for someone like Shreyas Iyer, who has been raring for a comeback to the Test team.
Shreyas Iyer last played a Test back in February 2024 against England. With an average of 26 in four innings, he was axed and never picked again. However, Iyer has worked on his technique and has returned to form in ODIs and T20s. He scored in Ranji Trophy, scored a fifty in Irani Cup and he would be itching for a comeback when India host West Indies next in October.
End of road for Karun Nair?
Even as Gautam Gambhir spoke about giving Nair a longer rope, there seems to be no hope. Brydon Carse trapped him leg-before for 14 in the 2nd innings, which Anil Kumble called a brain fade moment. Nair misjudged a Carse delivery that did not swing. The ball struck the inside of his back knee as he offered no shot. One could have expected such dismissals from a youngster, but not from a 33-year-old who has played over 100 first-class matches.
“Completely out of the blue, he was looking solid as always. The ball didn’t do much, just came in straight. I don’t know what he was thinking. Karun Nair expected the ball to probably swing away, but it didn’t, just held its line, kept coming straight. Pretty ordinary leave, Brydon Carse loving it, it’s an important wicket,” Dinesh Karthik said during commentary.
Nair’s form could only be compared to England’s Zak Crawley. Nair has scored 131, which is sixth-best by Indian batters. Even Ravindra Jadeja has scored 266 runs, almost double of what Nair has got so far. With Sai Suhdarsan warming the bench and considered a future prospect, it’s not unlikely that Nair will be dropped from India Playing XI for the Manchester Test.
Karun Nair in IND vs ENG Test series
- Inns: 6
- Runs: 131
- Avg: 21.83
- 50/100: 0/0
- Scores: 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, 14
Will Shreyas Iyer return to Test team?
Since getting dropped from the India Test team, Iyer has worked on his batting. And that has worked for him. He has got runs in all formats. In IPL 2025, he was the highest scorer for Punjab Kings with 604 runs at an average of 50.33. In the last domestic season, Shreyas Iyer averaged 68.57 in Ranji Trophy. He scored runs in the Irani Cup and Duleep Trophy as well. However, there was “no room for him” in the India Test side.
“Yes, Shreyas Iyer has played well in domestic cricket, but at the moment, there is no room for him in the Test Team,” Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the BCCI Selection Committee, said ahead of the IND vs ENG Test series.
With Karun Nair failing once again, it leaves the door open for Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan should they bat lower, at No 6. Iyer could be a good fit at No 3 should he get a chance to bat at No 3. Now that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from Tests, Iyer can fight for a spot. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir kept the door open too.
“Anyone can be called if they are in good form. We can only pick 18. But I believe it’s always about being open to people who are in good form and can deliver,” Gambhir said ahead of the Indian team’s departure for England.
Shreyas Iyer since getting dropped from Test side
| Tournament | Inns | Runs | Avg | 50 | 100 | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | 17 | 604 | 50.00 | 6 | 0 | 97 |
| Champions Trophy | 5 | 243 | 48.60 | 2 | 0 | 79 |
| ODIs vs England | 3 | 181 | 60.33 | 2 | 0 | 78 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 5 | 325 | 325.00 | 0 | 2 | 137 |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | 8 | 345 | 49.29 | 1 | 1 | 130 |
| Ranji Trophy | 7 | 480 | 68.57 | 0 | 2 | 233 |
| Irani Cup | 2 | 65 | 32.50 | 1 | 0 | 57 |
| Duleep Trophy | 6 | 154 | 25.67 | 2 | 0 | 54 |
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