 "Karun Nair squandered ideal starts at Edgbaston and Lord's. AP")
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta feels that Sai Sudharsan should replace Karun Nair for the remaining two Test matches of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
This comes after India lost the third Test match at Lord’s by a narrow margin of just 22 runs. Nair, who made his return to Test cricket after 8 years, once again failed to contribute at the top of the order.
Nair has struggled to make an impact in the ongoing series thus far. In three games so far, he has scored only 131 runs and is the only top-four batter from either side who hasn’t managed a half-century in the series.
Sudharsan, on the other hand, made his debut in the first Test at Leeds but scored just 0 and 30 before being benched. India preferred batting all-rounder Washington Sundar for the Edgbaston and Lord’s Tests.
Deep Dasgupta backs Sudharsan instead of Nair
Speaking on JioHotstar, Dasgupta said, “In the Playing XI, you don’t want more than one change. If there is only one, it would be replacing Karun Nair with Sai Sudharsan. Because Karun Nair hasn’t made any runs. He’s got starts, but hasn’t converted them into big scores. I also believe he doesn’t look that comfortable at the crease either.”
“And secondly, Sai Sudharsan is a young player. If you want to invest in this England series, you’d rather invest in a younger player. Karun Nair has got starts in both Test matches, but he hasn’t looked that convincing," he added.
“So if you’re looking to build ahead, you might as well invest in someone like Sai Sudharsan. Because after this, I don’t know when you’ll come back to a series in England. So when you have two Tests left, invest in Sai Sudharsan,” Dasgupta said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIndia currently trail the five-match series 1-2. The fourth Test will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23, while the final match is scheduled at The Oval in London from July 31 to August 4.