IND vs ENG: Farokh Engineer takes a dig at Karun Nair
As India trail 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series against England, questions have begun to mount over Karun Nair’s underwhelming form at the crucial No. 3 position. Among the critics is former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer, who has strongly criticised Nair’s performance and urged the team management to reconsider their batting combination ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting July 23—a must-win encounter for the visitors. Nair earned a recall to the Indian Test side after an impressive domestic season in 2024–25.
The 33-year-old amassed 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy and followed it up with 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing tremendous consistency across formats. However, that rich vein of form has failed to translate onto the international stage. In the three Tests against England, Nair has scored only 131 runs at a modest average of 21.83, with a top score of 40. While he has shown signs of settling in with a few promising starts, he has struggled to convert them into meaningful contributions, often falling at crucial moments. With India facing pressure to level the series, Nair’s place in the playing XI could come under serious scrutiny.
"Karun Nair has been getting brilliant 20s and 30s. He's (Nair) scored beautiful 30 runs, beautiful cover drives and all that. But a beautiful 30 is not expected from a No. 3. You've got to get a not-so-beautiful 100. You need runs on the board. You need (to score) bigger. The expectation should be much higher," stated former Indian cricketer Farokh Engineer.
The former cricketer emphasized that the No. 3 batting position demands consistency, resilience, and the temperament to build long and impactful innings, especially in challenging overseas conditions. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series and needing a win to stay alive in the contest, he urged the selectors and team management to reassess their current strategy and pick the strongest possible India playing XI for the crucial fourth Test in Manchester. He specifically called for the return of Sai Sudharsan, who impressed during his brief appearance in the series. The young left-hander scored a composed 30 in the second innings of the first Test but was subsequently benched to make way for an additional all-rounder.
"We should pick the best XI. I haven't seen much of Sai Sudharsan. You've got to pick the best player for the time being. Who's going to give you maximum? You are playing for your country. Your reputation is at stake. So, I would say, forget the age. If he's good, play him to win this Test match," Engineer added.
