“Some players are not meant for international cricket”: Twitter reacts as Karun Nair gets kicked out of Indian team

Karun Nair’s place in India’s playing XI had been a topic of debate in the lead-up to the fourth Test of the five-match series against England in Manchester. However, the team management has lost confidence in the Karnataka batter, as he has been dropped for the crucial match starting today (July 23).

Karun Nair made a comeback to the Indian Test squad after eight years, following an impressive run in domestic cricket. However, the 33-year-old has failed to make an impact on his return, going without a single fifty in the first three Tests. He was unable to capitalize on his starts and convert them into big scores.

Karun Nair Dropped from India’s Playing XI for Fourth Test in England

Karun Nair has been dropped from India's playing XI for the fourth Test against England in Manchester. He had impressed in the lead-up with a 204-run knock against England Lions in a practice game and 259 runs across three innings for India A but failed to deliver in the main series.

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The 33-year-old returned to the Test setup after eight years but managed only 131 runs in six innings at an average of under 22. He recorded scores of 0 & 20 at Headingley, 31 & 26 in Birmingham, and 40 & 14 at Lord’s.

It is worth mentioning that the right-handed batter began the series batting at No. 6 before being promoted to No. 3 for the second and third Tests, but failed to register a single half-century.

Sai Sudharsan, who featured in the opening Test at Leeds (scoring 0 and 30), has replaced Nair for the Manchester Test after missing the previous two matches.

India Trail 1-2 in the Five-Match Test Series Against England

India trail 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England, with Karun Nair's poor form being one of the reasons. India failed to defend a 371-run target and lost by five wickets in the series opener at Leeds. They bounced back at Edgbaston, registering a record 336-run victory to level the series.

However, India fell short during their chase of 193 on the final day of the third Test at Lord’s, losing the match by 22 runs. The visitors now need a win in the fourth Test at Manchester to keep the series alive.

India haven’t won a Test series in England since 2007, when Rahul Dravid was captain. They came close in 2021 but the final Test was rescheduled due to COVID-19, and India eventually lost the match, drawing the series 2-2.

Fans React as Karun Nair Dropped from Playing XI for Manchester Test

Karun Nair’s disappointing performances might have ended his Test career. The team management seems to have made up its mind, given the intense competition for spots in the Indian lineup.

End of Karun Nair’s test career. Don’t know if it’s harsh. But he certainly can’t complain much having got 6 chances on great batting pitches and not being able to make it count even once. At 32-33, there’s no likelihood for more chances now.

— Aditya Joshipura (@absurd_random) July 23, 2025

Feel for Karun Nair that he's been dropped but for him to make a comeback once again from here will be very difficult.

He should feel lucky that he got to play 3 Test matches and I think maybe that was it.#KarunNair #ENGvIND #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/7dATrwhsm8

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) July 23, 2025

Shri Karun Nair Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as number 3 for India. Wishing him good health.

— Varun (@wizardrincewind) July 23, 2025

Some Players Are Not At All Meant For International Cricket.

Thank You Karun Nair. pic.twitter.com/WZI8jt3VzP

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) July 23, 2025

According to me, Karun should have been given a chance for the entire tour because Sudarshan would have got a chance and Nair should have been given the entire series #ENGvIND

— Mishra ji 😎 (@Mishrrajee) July 23, 2025

If Karun has played his last test then Dinesh Karthik and Karun Nair have a similarity comeback after 8 years in test cricket and final test at lords.

— Sujith V (@Sujith1727) July 23, 2025

Dear cricket , please give one more chance to karun nair . pic.twitter.com/inGqUeVgNf

— PRIYANSHU 🐐 (@jaiswal_00) July 23, 2025

So unofficially Karun Nair has retired from cricket

Happy retirement Karun Nair 🤍 pic.twitter.com/mV8qOxQ0zC

— Parmar' (@saisuszn) July 23, 2025

I think Karun Nair's career in international cricket ended here. 😔#karunnair #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/xHCjHaGpTJ

— 𝘼𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙝 (@iamAkashAU) July 23, 2025

Have Eswaran and Dhruv Jurel gone just to watch the Test match ?

And Karun Nair deserved the entire series bcz he performed better than Gill and Jaiswal on a difficult wicket in the last match. https://t.co/mrnDs9Negx

— Brohit (@kuchnhi_hai) July 23, 2025

I think Karun Nair's career in international cricket ended here. 😔#karunnair #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/xHCjHaGpTJ

— 𝘼𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙝 (@iamAkashAU) July 23, 2025

Some Players Are Not At All Meant For International Cricket.

Thank You Karun Nair. pic.twitter.com/WZI8jt3VzP

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) July 23, 2025

Also read: Kuldeep Yadav ruled out of IND vs ENG Tests; replacement finalized