Latest news with #KarunNair
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Amid reports of Karun Nair being axed, Harbhajan, Aakash Chopra rally behind the batter: 'All players deserve fair chance'
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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Anjum Chopra exclusive on Shubman Gill's captaincy and Lord's Test defeat 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. Also Read | Manchester weather forecast: Rain could spoil Shubman Gill-led India's party at Old Trafford 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Irfan Pathan tells Bumrah to learn from Ben Stokes, put in extra effort for India 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.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
New challenges at Old Trafford! Anxious India likely to play both Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan
Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan Manchester: Both teams had optional practice sessions but it rained relentlessly here on Tuesday morning. At the indoor nets, Harry Brook had loud music on and batted like a teenager enjoying a day out. With the series scoreline reading 2-1 in England's favour, Brook's enthusiasm was understandable. India captain Shubman Gill came in the afternoon, did a few running drills with Sai Sudharsan and had some intense discussions. KL Rahul and Karun Nair decided to have nets in the indoor facilities to work on a few specific technical aspects. It was apparent that Gill and his young team are gearing up for a stern examination of their character in the fourth Test starting here on Wednesday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Over the last month, Gill appears to have got used to taking questions for his team. He retained his composure while addressing the media but appeared flustered with the spate of injuries that have hit the side and led to an unsettled bowling attack. He was forthright in announcing that Akash Deep isn't available due to a groin injury. 'It's never easy when there are injuries going around in the squad. It's not ideal when you know you have a different combination after every match,' Gill said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Gill's situation is starkly different to that of England counterpart Ben Stokes . Stokes is so comfortable with his combination that he ignored pacer Gus Atkinson and only made a like-for-like swap, with left-arm spinner Liam Dawson coming in for the injured off-spinner Shoaib Bashir. Gill confirmed that Anshul Kamboj, who joined the team in Manchester as Arshdeep Singh's cover, is very close to making his debut. 'I'm sure he (Kamboj) is very close to making his debut. We're going to see tomorrow who's going to make it to the XI between him and Prasidh,' Gill said. 'We have seen him (Kamboj) enough. The kind of skill set that he brings to the table is exactly what we want in this team. He's there because we believe he can win us the match,' he added. Nitish Kumar Reddy's injury has hurt the balance of the team. Going by the last two days, it appears that the team is leaning towards going back to having both Karun Nair and Sudharsan in the XI. Gill has been very assertive in backing Nair despite the string of low scores. The lower-order collapse in the first Test at Headingley has become the pet peeve of this team management. Washington Sundar batting at No. 8 gives them more stability down the order. The Old Trafford pitch has been mostly under covers for the last few days. It has been largely overcast for a week and is likely to remain that way for the entire duration of the Test match. Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spent a few minutes on the pitch with the curator to get an understanding of the square. Four draws have been played out on this surface during this first-class season. Poll Which player do you think will make the biggest impact for India in the fourth Test? Shubman Gill Harry Brook Jasprit Bumrah Stokes didn't want to comment since he didn't have a good view of the pitch. But he hoped it's a bit different than the ones they have played so far in this series, which according to him were not how he had expected them to be. The call the Indian team management has to make is whether to go in with an extra seamer in Shardul Thakur or retain Washington's services at No. 8 at any cost. That would mean they may well have to go with three pacers and two spinners if they play both Nair and Sudharsan. Like Stokes, Gill has greater expectations from this pitch. 'The pitch didn't look that damp yesterday. But now, having a look at the weather, I don't think there is much chance for the pitch to dry out. There will be a little bit more for the bowlers. Usually, this venue has a bit more pace and bounce than the other venues we have seen,' Gill said, adding, 'We've got enough players to take 20 wickets. That's been the most challenging part of the series. ' It will be interesting to see the strategies Gill adopts, given all his top batters are in form and both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are available to bowl in overcast conditions. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
India Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Karun Nair deserves one last chance, says Aakash Chopra ahead of Manchester Test
Ahead of the crucial Manchester Test, former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra shared his playing XI on his YouTube channel, creating buzz by keeping Karun Nair at No. 3. Karun had a fairytale return to the Indian Test team after waiting for more than 3000 days through consistent performances in the domestic circuit. However, the ongoing series has been a rude awakening for the 33-year-old, who has failed to leave a mark with the bat after coming in at No.3 in the last two Tests. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Karun has scored just 131 runs in three matches with an average just above 21. Despite this, Chopra feels the batter should be given one more chance at No.3. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer said that Karun hasn't looked completely out of sorts with the bat. Chopra said this would be the final chance for the 33-year-old. '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 on his YouTube Gill backs Karun despite poor runDespite his poor run with the bat, Karun does seem to have the backing of India captain Shubman Gill. Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the Manchester Test, Gill said that Karun has been batting well and was unfortunate not to get a good score under his belt. "Yes, we have had conversations with him, but we think he is batting well. We think Karun is betting well. The first match he didn't really play at this number. It's difficult when a player is making a comeback in a series like this. But I don't think there's been any issue with batting. He's been batting well. Sometimes it's also about getting that click. Once you're able to make your fifty, then you're able to get back into your zone and uh get some big runs. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for him so far, but, we are hopeful that he will be able to turn around," said Gill at the press fourth Test match will get underway on July 23. - EndsTune InMust Watch advertisement
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Karun Nair to return to home state Karnataka for the upcoming domestic season
Batter Karun Nair is set to return to his home state of Karnataka for the upcoming domestic season, having obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA). Karun, who is currently with the Indian Test team in England, spent two fruitful seasons with Vidarbha. The 33-year-old made runs aplenty in Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy title run earlier this year. Karun also led Vidarbha to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final. His fine form earned him a Test cap after a gap of eight years. Karun will add experience to a young Karnataka batting lineup, which includes the likes of Devdutt Padikkal, R. Smaran and K.V. Aneesh. Karnataka suffered a disappointing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign, failing to make it to the knockout stages. Karun made his senior debut with Karnataka in 2012 (in a List A game), and last featured in a First Class match for Karnataka in 2022.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Will India retain Karun Nair for 4th Test? Skipper Shubman Gill gives major update
India's Karun Nair (PTI Photo) Ahead of the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, India captain Shubman Gill threw his weight behind senior batter Karun Nair, who has been struggling for form in the ongoing series. Gill, addressing the media on Monday, made it clear that Nair remains a vital cog in India's batting unit and needs time to rediscover his rhythm. 'He didn't bat at his number in the first game and we have had conversations with him, and he will turn it around,' Gill said, showing faith in the 33-year-old's ability to deliver when it matters most. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Nair, who was drafted into the XI as an experienced middle-order option, has endured a lean run in his recent outings, amassing 131 runs in six innings so far. With veterans such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bidding goodbye to the longest format of cricket just before the England tour, the team management backed Nair to bring stability amid the English conditions. However, his lack of significant scores has put pressure on him heading into the must-win clash. Shubman Gill explosive press conference: Hits back at England and big revelation on India Playing XI The Old Trafford surface is expected to offer more pace and bounce, conditions where Nair's compact technique and back-foot game could prove valuable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegantly Designed Homes With Luxurious Viewing Decks Shapoorji Golfland Vanaha Enquire Now Undo The team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, has been working closely with the middle-order batters to ensure strong starts and tight finishes in each session. As India prepare for the fourth Test, all eyes will be on Nair to see if he can repay the captain's trust with a match-defining performance. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
