Remember Karun Nair? He is the man who scored a triple century on debut for India and then sort of disappeared into the abyss of cricket. After a sublime domestic season and an unparalleled double century against the England Lions, Karun is making all the right noises ahead of the much-anticipated Test series between India and England starting June 20.
The Indian team is staring into an experience, composure, and grit vacuum with the retirements of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, especially given that this series is in English conditions. So, who fits that bill? Correct, Karun Nair. Let’s look at why it’s crucial for India, in this Test series of five matches, to play Karun Nair at No. 3.
Experience + Technique = Just What India Needs at No. 3
Let’s be real here, Test cricket No 3 is hard, and especially in England, where essentially it is overcast and the Dukes ball swings and seamers get the license to make good players into average players. India needs a rock here, not a flash in the pan.
Shubman Gill’s quality is not in question, but the reality is his technique against the moving ball in England has been inconsistent. Moving him to No. 4 could allow him the freedom and licence to be more his natural self. Also, it is a perfect opportunity for Nair, who has got the temperament as well as experience at No. 3.
He’s in Ridiculous Form—Just Ask the England Lions
Form is king in Test cricket, and Karun Nair is in peak form at the right time. In the rain-affected first unofficial Test against England Lions, Nair was not going to just score, he was going to dominate! 204 on Day 1 for Nair was not just about scoring runs, but controlling the innings with an unmatched level of patience and red-ball excellence.
And don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t just the amount of runs he scored – it was how he scored them. He was able to dictate terms to the bowlers, find gaps with deftness, and play shots around the ground like he was a man who knew he had the right to be there. An innings like that does not just put forward your case for selection; it engenders a level of trust in the team management.
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Nair Is Built for Marathon Innings
Cricket is often called a game of glorious uncertainties, but one thing that we’ve been certain of with Karun Nair over the years is his ability to bat long. He has over 8,000 first-class runs, 23 centuries, and an average just below 50. That’s not just good—that’s elite.
What is even more impressive is his ability to take his time. He can respect the deliveries that deserve to be respected, while putting bad balls away. He has the “waiting game” down to a fine art – a rare but valuable skill in cricket when faced with bowlers on the off-stump who will test your patience for what feels like innumerable periods.
Karun Nair remains only the second Indian to score a Test triple century—a feat built on grit, not luck. After years of proving himself in domestic cricket, he’s returned with sharp focus and perfect timing. This isn’t just a comeback—it’s a statement.
Will the management support him? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, Karun at No. 3 just feels right. What do you think, should Nair walk out at one down for India when the test begins on June 20? Or would you go for the younger option? Let the debates commence!
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