Shubman Gill Faces Criticism for Dropping Karun Nair from Test Squad

Team India captain Shubman Gill is under fire for his decision to drop Karun Nair from the playing XI for the fourth Test against England. Former cricketer Mohammed Kaif criticized Gill for not supporting Nair, who struggled in previous matches. Nair's brief return to Test cricket has raised questions about his future, especially as he competes with emerging players for a spot in the team. With the final Test approaching, fans are eager to see if Nair will have another chance to prove himself.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 23, 2025, 21:21 IST

Controversial Decision by Team India Captain

Shubman Gill, the captain of Team India, has come under scrutiny for his choice to exclude Karun Nair from the playing XI for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on July 23. This decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

Karun Nair's Short-Lived Return

Nair's return to Test cricket was brief, as he was left out for this crucial match. The 33-year-old participated in the first three games of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 but struggled to make a significant impact, scoring 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14, totaling 131 runs with an average of 21.83 across six innings.

Replacement and Criticism

Nair, who is only the second Indian player to score a Test triple century after Virender Sehwag, was replaced by Sai Sudharsan, who had previously been dropped after his debut at Headingley on July 20. Former cricketer Mohammed Kaif criticized Gill's decision, suggesting that he missed an opportunity to support a senior player in need.

Kaif's Take on Leadership

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kaif expressed that Gill should have given Nair another chance, stating, "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 respect as a leader."

Nair's Journey Back to Test Cricket

Karun Nair made his Test comeback after an eight-year hiatus, thanks to his strong performances in domestic and County Cricket, where he played for Northamptonshire in 2023 and 2024. Unfortunately, he could not replicate this success against England's formidable bowling attack.

Future Prospects for Nair

With the fifth and final Test set to take place at The Oval on July 31, it appears that Nair's second tour of England may conclude without further opportunities. Following this series, India will face the West Indies in their first red-ball matches of the World Test Championship Cycle in October. Nair's chances of rejoining the team will largely depend on his domestic performance, as he competes with emerging talents like Sai Sudharsan and Sarfaraz Khan.

Karun Nair's Test Record

Throughout his Test career, Nair has accumulated 505 runs, including a remarkable triple century, with an average of 42.08 over nine matches. His only triple century came against England in Chennai in 2016, where he scored an impressive unbeaten 303 off 376 balls.