Cricketer-turned-expert Sanjay Manjrekar has stated that Sai Sudarshan should play the fourth Manchester Test in place of Karun Nair at the pivotal number three position. The southpaw was dropped after playing the first Leeds Test, as Nair, who batted at number six in that Test, was moved to number three for the remaining two Tests. However, since moving to the number three spot, Nair has only managed a high score of 40.
In the six innings that he has batted so far, he has scored 131 runs. While the 33-year-old has managed to get starts in all his innings, the right-hand batter has failed to convert those into big scores. The cricketing expert suggested that rather than backing Nair for the Manchester Test, India should bring back Sudarshan, who was dropped after he registered 0 & 30 on his debut in Leeds.
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"Sai Sudharsan was always my no.3 after the first test match. There was a promise shown with 30 runs. And when you have flat pitches and one of England's weakest bowling attack, you want to play a young player so Karun Nair at no.3 three I didnt agree with maybe the team management might just want to prove a point that we were backing the right horse and give him one more match that's something happen with team management but I would like to see Sai sudharsan at no3,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.
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Will Karun Nair get another go? Or Sudarshan will return for the Manchester Test
To be fair to Karun Nair, he has invariably been to the crease before the 10 overs. However, despite walking in that early, the right-hand batter has managed to bat aggressively and put pressure back on England bowlers. Nair's problem while getting out in the series has been not committing fully to the strokes he has got out. Two times he was out while driving full-length balls. One positive sign for the veteran is the backing of the management.
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Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has said that while the experienced batter has looked good at the crease till he has lasted, 'they expect big scores' from him. Nair, who has stormed back into the team on the back of terrific domestic numbers, is yet to translate that success in international cricket. Sudarshan, who has been looked at as a long-term investment, might just have to wait for his chances, as the management might persist with Nair for the remainder of the two Tests.
