Karun Nair's Test career over! Sai Sudharsan recalled to India's Playing XI for Manchester Test
Published - 17 Jul 2025, 05:26 PM | Updated - 17 Jul 2025, 05:27 PM

Former wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has suggested a change in India’s playing XI for the fourth Test of the ongoing five-match series against England. Dasgupta stated that Sai Sudharsan should come in for Karun Nair, who hasn’t converted starts into significant scores and hasn’t looked confident at the crease.
Karun Nair, making his return to the Test team after eight years, has struggled to make an impact. He has scored only 131 runs at an average below 22 despite getting starts in five of his six innings. The right-handed batter has found it difficult to handle extra bounce, especially those rising from a good length.
India Trail 1-2 in Five-Match Test Series After 22-Run Loss at Lord’s
India are trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England after a 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord’s. Karun Nair’s form remains a concern, especially after his second-innings dismissal at Lord’s, where he shouldered arms to an incoming ball from Brydon Carse.
With the fourth Test in Manchester a week away, the team management might consider a change at No. 3. Nair is likely to make way for Sai Sudharsan, who was dropped after a modest debut at Leeds, where he managed only 30 runs. The 23-year-old could be recalled to strengthen the batting lineup.
Another option under consideration is Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been part of the Test squad since the Australia tour last year.
It Would Be Replacing Karun Nair With Sai Sudharsan - Deep Dasgupta
Deep Dasgupta has backed bringing Sai Sudharsan into the playing XI for the fourth Test against England. The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Nair hasn’t looked settled at the crease against the England attack.
“In the Playing XI, you don’t want more than one change. If there is only one, it would be replacing Karun Nair with Sai Sudharsan. Because Karun Nair hasn’t made any runs. He’s got starts, but hasn’t converted them into big scores. I also believe he doesn’t look that comfortable at the crease either,” Dasgupta said.
Invest in Someone Like Sai Sudharsan - Deep Dasgupta
Deep Dasgupta said that India should look to the future by giving Sai Sudharsan more chances in the ongoing series. He added that it would be wiser to back a younger player like Sudharsan, especially with no clear timeline for India's next Test tour of England.
“Sai Sudharsan is a young player. If you want to invest in this England series, you’d rather invest in a younger player. Karun Nair has got starts in both Test matches, but he hasn’t looked that convincing," Dasgupta continued.
"So if you’re looking to build ahead, you might as well invest in someone like Sai Sudharsan. Because after this, I don’t know when you’ll come back to a series in England.”
India will aim to level the series in the upcoming Manchester Test, which is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, July 23, at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
Also read: Ravindra Jadeja declared a FLOP bowler by Ex-CSK teammate and England captain
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Sai Sudharsan Karun Nair Deep Dasgupta India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England England vs India ICC World Test ChampionshipAbout the Author

Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more