The fifth Test between India and England at The Oval kicked off under cloudy skies and frequent rain interruptions.
While India’s batting lineup struggled to gain momentum, one man stood tall - Karun Nair.
He made his return to the Test side after several years in this series and was sent in at an unexpected position this match and responded with a solid half-century.
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India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged the challenges Nair has faced throughout the series and praised his attitude and composure.
With the series on the line and India chasing a strong first-innings score, Nair’s gritty knock could prove vital as play resumes on Day 2, scheduled for August 1.
Karun Nair’s batting position in this Test series
Karun Nair has quietly become one of the most talked-about names in India’s Test squad during this England tour, not just for his performances but for the unusual demands placed on him.
After starting the series batting at No. 6, he was moved up to No. 3 in the next two Tests. Now, at The Oval, he's batting at No. 5.
Despite these constant shifts, he managed to hold the innings together on Day 1 with an unbeaten 52 when India was under pressure.
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India was in deep trouble at 153/6, and that’s when Nair joined hands with Washington Sundar for a crucial 51-run stand.
With rain playing spoilsport and the batting order collapsing- Jaiswal (2), Rahul (14), Gill (21-run out), Sudharsan (38), Jadeja (9), and Jurel (19), Nair's innings gave India much-needed stability.
So far in the series, he has scored 183 runs from seven innings at an average of 30.50, with his current unbeaten 52 being his highest.
What did the coach say about Nair’s shifting positions and mindset?
Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate didn't hold back in his praise for Nair. He described the 33-year-old as someone who has taken on every challenge without complaints and just "cracks on with it."
According to Doeschate, Nair’s ability to adjust to different batting positions and still stay calm under pressure proves his value to the team.
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He highlighted that batting at No. 6 is particularly tough in Test cricket. Despite that, Nair has embraced every role assigned to him, whether at No. 3 or No. 5.
"He started off at six in the first test and then batted at three for the other two tests. He has been asked to do a tough job and I always said that his tempo and his rhythm were very good. He is a quality player, particularly for that reason that he can absorb the pressure," Doeschate said.
"So going in today at a different position, again, I thought he summed up the conditions really well. Look, when someone comes back into the test side like he does after a lengthy absence, the pressure is always there, and I think he has handled that very well," he added.
This is Nair’s first Test tour in nearly eight years, and despite not scoring a big hundred yet, his efforts have shown that he still has the grit and temperament to survive at the top level.