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Karun Nair Dropped; Why Shubman Gill Made The Bold Decision For Manchester Test

Anurag Dasgupta

Why Nair was dropped [Source: AP Photo] Why Nair was dropped [Source: AP Photo]

Shubman Gill made a bold call by dropping Karun Nair from the playing XI for the 4th Test vs England in Manchester. Before the Test match, there was a buzz that Nair could be axed from the side, as India aim to level the series, and the rumours came true as Gill backed his instincts and took a decisive call.

Nair played in all three Test matches, but couldn't convert starts into big scores and was often dismissed after getting set. To replace him, India have brought in Sai Sudharsan, who was snubbed after the first Test match. Why was Nair neglected for this game? here's the answer.

Poor form led to Nair's axe

Nair demanded "one more chance" from the selectors to prove his worth, but the Karnataka batter failed to deliver the goods on this current England tour. He looked promising, but the big score wasn't there as India's headache increased.

Criterion
Matches
Matches3
Runs
131
Average21.83
50-plus score0

(Nair runs in England)

  • As shown in the table, the aesthetically pleasing batter has played some nice cameos on the tour, but Test cricket demands big numbers, which he has failed to deliver. In 3 matches, Nair has accumulated just 131 runs, at an average of 21.83. 
  • Interestingly, on this tour, England have dished out flat surfaces, and while the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja have churned out runs for fun, the Karnataka batter is yet to play a key knock.

Why Sudharsan was picked ahead of Nair?

  • Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for a duck in his first outing in Test cricket at Headingley, but many felt he was unnecessarily removed after just one game. The batter looked compact in the second innings of the first Test, but India needed to include more all-rounders in the squad, and hence, Sudharsan was dropped.
  • However, the talented left-handed batter is better suited for Test cricket, and could be the X-factor which India needs to level the series. He can be an aggressor, and cal also play second fiddle as Gautam Gambhir is aiming to surprise England with this bold selection.