India trail 2-1 behind England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy following their 22-run defeat at Lord's.With a long break before the fourth Test in Old Trafford, India faces a tough call about their No. 3 batter.
Karun Nair, who was brought back into the Test side after nearly eight years, has not made a strong case for himself across the three matches so far. While his return was seen as a second chance to revive a career that once promised so much, the numbers haven't quite followed.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
In six innings of this series, Nair has scored 131 runs at an average of just 21.83. His highest 40 at Lord's was a decent start, but once again, he couldn't convert it into something more meaningful.
Karun Nair's struggles continue after early promise
Nair's comeback began brightly with a double hundred for India A against England Lions. But since the main series began, he has looked far from settled.
His scores across the three Tests read: 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14. At Lord's, he was caught at slip for 40 in the first innings and trapped LBW in the second after misjudging an incoming delivery from Brydon Carse - his third such dismissal to the English pacer in the series.
The 303* against England in 2016 remains a high point in Nair's career but it is increasingly looking like an outlier. He has not crossed 50 in his last 12 Test innings.
In fact, he is the only top-order batter in the current series from either side who has not posted a fifty.
Should Sai Sudharsan return for Old Trafford Test?
Sai Sudharsan, who played in the first Test, could be a possible replacement. Though he managed only 0 and 30 in that match, his domestic form and left-handed approach offer a different dynamic at No. 3.
With Abhimanyu Easwaran also waiting in the squad, the Indian think tank has a decision to make. Whether they give Nair another shot or opt for change could shape the remainder of the series.
MORE: 'Was unfair to drop Sai Sudharsan' - Sanjay Manjrekar says Karun Nair is not a No. 3 batter