England vs India: 3 Reasons why Karun Nair deserves one more chance in the Manchester Test

India’s batting order faltered in the third Test in England, which cost the team the game, which could have easily been theirs. And as selectors eye a reshuffle for Manchester, Karun Nair makes a compelling case for one more opportunity at No. 4.

1. Solidifying a shaky middle order

So far in this series, India’s top run‑scorers are Shubman Gill (607 runs at 101.16) and Rishabh Pant (425 at 70.83). Beyond those two, contributions have dipped sharply: KL Rahul sits third with 375 runs, but the team lacks a disciplined anchor when wickets fall early. 

Although Nair does not have any big scores to his name, he has still managed to excel in his stay at the crease. It can be said that he has been unlucky so far, as he has had some excellent deliveries and catches which have denied him his big scores. But that big score does not look like it's far away, and probably can come around in the next game. 

2. Red‑ball form that demands respect

Karun Nair hasn’t just been ticking runs, but he’s been dominating. In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, he scored 863 runs in nine innings at 53.94, with a strike rate near 50 and plenty of centuries. Add his 779 runs in eight Vijay Hazare innings, including five hundreds at an absurd average of 389.50. You don’t see a batter in such peak touch across formats. Form like that in domestic cricket shows he’s not just owing to past Test exploits, but he has earned another shot here and now.

3. Proven mettle in English conditions

Before the full series began, Nair toured England with India A and answered doubts in style. At Canterbury, he hammered a marathon 204 against England Lions—batting through green‑tinged conditions and showcasing the temperament England’s seamers will face at Old Trafford. If India’s middle order needs someone who can both survive and score, that innings suggests Nair already knows how to handle Dukes ball on these grounds.

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