Amid reports of Karun Nair being axed, Harbhajan, Aakash Chopra rally behind the batter: 'All players deserve fair chance'

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5 days ago

Some of the major media outlets have reported that Karun Nair is set to be axed from India's playing XI for the fourth Test against England. But Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra are against this change. read more
Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra feel Karun Nair should play for India in fourth Test vs England. Images: Reuters/Harbhajan Singh on X/ Aakash Chopra on X
Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra have rallied behind Karun Nair amid reports that the batter may get dropped from the playing XI in the fourth Test against England that starts on 23 July (Wednesday) at Manchester. Reports in the Indian Express and Hindustan Times have stated that Karun Nair could sit out to make way for Sai Sudharsan.
Karun Nair, who made a return to Team India after a gap of more than eight years, has returned scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14 in the six innings so far in three Test matches as India find themselves 2-1 down in the five-match series. The batter has been guilty of failing to make the most of multiple starts and there's a feeling that the Indian cricket team management may go back to Sudharsan, who scored 0 and 30 on his Test debut in Headingley.
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India are also expected to make two more changes to their playing XI. Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur could come in for injured Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Harbhajan, Aakash Chopra come out in Karun Nair's support
Former Indian spinner and legendary cricketer Harbhajan feels the management needs to back Nair in the same way they supported captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul in the past.
'Yes, Karun has not scored runs, but if you gave him a chance, then persist with him for a while. All players deserve a fair chance. Karun deserves it now, and the likes of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul deserved it in the past,' Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
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Bhajji added that dropping Sudharsan after just one match was not the right decision but now that Nair has been given opportunities, India need to show some patience with him.
'So, the criteria should be the same for everyone. If others got five or sixes changes, then what crime has Karun committed? I feel that giving just one opportunity to Sai Sudharsan was not justified, but now that you have persisted with Karun till now, then play him here was well,' he added.
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While analysing the matter on his YouTube channel, former India opener Aakash Chopra said that Nair must be given one more opportunity as he has not looked out of place.
'There will be a question at No. 3 as to whether Karun Nair should be given one more chance. Karun Nair hasn't looked completely out of sorts. However, he hasn't scored enough runs for you to say his selection is certain. I am still tempted to play him another match at No. 3 because he might not get a chance again,' Chopra said.