Karun Nair Dropped from Fourth Test: Aakash Chopra Weighs In

Karun Nair's Exclusion Sparks Debate

In the fourth Test match against England, Karun Nair was left out of the playing XI, making way for Sai Sudharsan. This decision followed Nair's disappointing performance in the previous three Tests, leading to mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.

Nair's return to Test cricket after an eight-year hiatus was met with optimism, but many, including cricket experts, believed he lacked adequate support from both Shubman Gill and the team management. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed that Nair deserved another opportunity in the lineup.

Chopra remarked on his YouTube channel, "Sai Sudharsan replaced Karun Nair. It’s interesting to recall the press conference before the Manchester Test, where Gill praised Nair, mentioning that he hadn’t batted in his preferred position during the series opener."

He continued, "Gill expressed confidence in Nair's ability to bounce back, yet he was ultimately dropped for the Test match."

Chopra further commented on Nair's challenging path ahead, stating, "If he had been given another match, it could have been beneficial. However, with this decision, it seems unlikely for him to return to the playing XI anytime soon."

He noted that with players like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sarfaraz Khan in contention, along with Shreyas Iyer, Nair's chances appear slim. Despite having a good opportunity, Nair was unable to seize it, and while his career may still hold potential, the road ahead looks tough.

In his three Test appearances, Nair has accumulated 131 runs at an average of 21.83, failing to make a significant impact in the ongoing series against England.