Karun Nair’s second chance: A missed opportunity or the end of the road?

Dubai: India’s tour of England was supposed to be a dream come true for Karun Nair. After a strong domestic season, the Indian batter earned a much-awaited recall to the national side. However, things haven’t quite gone his way.

In three Tests so far, the 33-year-old has managed just 131 runs at an average of 21.83. The biggest disappointment is that Nair is the only top-four batter from either team yet to register a half-century, with his highest score being 40 in the first innings of the third Test.

It’s not for lack of effort — Nair has spent significant time at the crease, facing 249 deliveries across these matches — but he has looked vulnerable against high-quality fast bowling.

With India trailing 1-2 in the five-Test series, former cricketers Devang Gandhi and Deep Dasgupta have raised serious questions about Nair’s future in Test cricket.

“If you watch closely, Karun’s front foot is still in the air at the moment the ball is released by a fast bowler,” Gandhi told PTI. “That hesitation makes it difficult for him to move quickly backward or forward, especially against fast bowlers like Archer or Carse.”

While Gandhi acknowledged Nair’s dedication at the crease, he pointed out that inconsistent performances are harming his prospects. “He’s putting in the hard work, spending over 30 balls in almost every innings, but lapses in concentration and timing are costing him,” he explained.

Dasgupta added, “You have to look at the bigger picture. Karun is almost 34, while Sai is just beginning his career. If Sai has been identified as a potential long-term player for the Test team, then he needs to be gaining experience in these conditions now.”

Interestingly, Nair’s unbeaten 303 against England more than eight years ago in Chennai remains the last triple century by an Indian in Tests — a record that still stands out in his career.