Karun Nair’s long-awaited return to Test cricket after eight years was meant to be a fresh chapter—filled with big runs, vital partnerships, and a statement-making comeback. Instead, it turned into a struggle for form. Following a string of underwhelming performances in the first three matches, Nair was dropped from India’s playing XI for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.In six innings, the right-hander managed just 131 runs, prompting the team management to replace him with B Sai Sudharsan for the crucial fourth Test.India made three changes to their line-up in Manchester. Anshul Kamboj was handed a Test debut, while Sudharsan came in for Nair and Shardul Thakur replaced Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was sidelined due to a left knee injury.
Poll
Should Karun Nair have been given another chance in the fourth Test?
After Nair’s exclusion, an emotional photo began circulating on social media, showing him being consoled by close friend and star cricketer KL Rahul. The image quickly went viral, capturing what many assumed was the heartbreak of being dropped. However, a TimesofIndia.com fact-check revealed that the photograph was taken during the Lord’s Test, not at Old Trafford.Nair’s comeback got off to a rocky start. In the first Test at Headingley, he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings and scored just 20 in the second. He retained his place for the second Test, posting scores of 31 and 26. A 40-run knock in the first innings of the third Test at Lord’s showed signs of promise, but he followed it up with a disappointing 14.With his spot under increasing scrutiny, captain Shubman Gill decided to leave him out for the fourth Test.Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticised the decision, suggesting that Gill missed an opportunity to show leadership by backing a player in need.“Today was Shubman Gill’s chance to back Karun who was down but deserved one more chance. He should have picked Karun Nair. Chance missed to earn the respect when it comes to making tough decisions as a leader,” Kaif posted on X.England currently lead the five-match series 2-1, following their dramatic 22-run win in the third Test at Lord’s.
