• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Nair At 3 I Didnt Agree Manjrekar Backs Sai Sudharsan To Replace Karun In 4Th Test

"Nair At 3, I Didn't Agree": Manjrekar Backs Sai Sudharsan To Replace Karun In 4th Test 

Akshita Patel

Sai Sudharsan gets backing from Sanjay Manjrekar [Source: @Cric_records45, @SriniMaama16/X.com]Sai Sudharsan gets backing from Sanjay Manjrekar [Source: @Cric_records45, @SriniMaama16/X.com]

Ex-India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has called for Sai Sudharsan’s return to India’s playing XI for the fourth Test against England. Manjrekar claimed he was never in favour of Nair’s promotion to No. 3 and wants to see young blood test his talent on flat pitches.

Sudharsan, who made his Test debut in the first match of the series, was dropped after scoring 0 and 30. In his place, the team management picked Nair and promoted him to the No. 3 position. 

However, Nair hasn’t made much of an impact, scoring just 131 runs in six innings with an average of 21.83. He has not scored a single fifty, with his best score being 40.

Sanjay Manjrekar Wants Sai Sudharsan To Return In Manchester Test

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that he was never in favour of Karun Nair playing at the crucial spot of No. 3. With a weaker English bowling lineup and flat pitches, he feels Sai Sudharsan will get the necessary exposure.

"Sai Sudharsan was always my No. 3 after the first test match, there was promise shown with 30 runs. And when you have flat pitches and one of England's weakest bowling attack, you want to play a young player so Karun Nair at No. 3 I didn't agree with maybe the team management might just want to prove a point that we were backing the right horse and give him one more match that's something happen with team management but i would like to see Sai sudharsan at No. 3,” Manjrekar said.

He added that Nair is being given repeated chances, as management wants to prove that they recalled the batter after an 8-year gap for a reason.

Regardless, Manjrekar insists management should put faith in Sudharsan and bring him back to the playing XI for the upcoming Test scheduled at Old Trafford in Manchester.

India In Serious Selection Dilemma

Adding to India’s concerns are injuries. All-rounder Nitish Reddy has been ruled out of the fourth Test due to a knee injury. Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh is also unavailable after suffering a hand injury. Meanwhile, Akash Deep’s participation is uncertain as he’s dealing with a groin issue. With key players out and the series on the line, India may need to reshuffle both their batting and bowling line-up.