India will think about No. 3 position: Ravi Shastri on Karun Nair
The ongoing India-England Test series has seen several talking points, with the Indian team struggling to find the right combination. One of the positions that have been a topic of discussion is the number three spot, which has been vacant since the retirement of Cheteshwar Pujara. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recently shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that the team will be thinking about the number three position following Karun Nair’s poor outing in the series.
Karun Nair, who was given a chance to cement his place at the number three spot, failed to impress in the first three Tests. His poor form has raised questions about his ability to perform at the highest level, and Shastri’s comments have only added fuel to the fire. In an interview, Shastri said, “At number three, Sai Sudharsan could be the man or they might just say we competed for a lot of time in this Test match, let’s give Karun one more Test.”
Shastri’s comments are significant, as they suggest that Nair’s place in the team is not guaranteed. While he has been given a chance to redeem himself, it is clear that the team will be looking for alternative options at the number three spot. Sudharsan, who has been in impressive form for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, could be a viable option.
The number three spot has been a problem for India in recent times. After Pujara’s retirement, the team has struggled to find a consistent opener, with players like Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, and Nair all getting a chance to bat in the position. However, none of them have been able to deliver consistently, and the team has been forced to experiment with different combinations.
Shastri’s comments are likely to spark a debate about the future of the number three spot. While Nair has been given a chance to redeem himself, it is clear that the team will be looking for a more consistent performer in the position. Sudharsan, who has been in impressive form for Tamil Nadu, could be a viable option. However, it is also possible that the team could choose to experiment with different players, such as Shreyas Iyer or Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have been in good form in domestic cricket.
The number three spot is not the only position that has been a topic of discussion in the ongoing series. The Indian team has also struggled with their bowling attack, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami being the only consistent performers. The team has been forced to experiment with different combinations, including the inclusion of debutant Akash Deep, who was impressive on his debut.
The Indian team’s struggles with their bowling attack are not surprising, given the absence of key players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The team has been forced to rely on a combination of spin and pace, but it has not been effective. The inclusion of Deep has been a positive, but it is clear that the team needs to find a more consistent bowling attack if they are to compete with England.
In conclusion, Shastri’s comments about the number three spot are significant, as they suggest that the team will be thinking about alternative options in the position. Nair’s poor form has raised questions about his ability to perform at the highest level, and it is clear that the team will be looking for a more consistent performer in the position. Sudharsan, who has been in impressive form for Tamil Nadu, could be a viable option, but it is also possible that the team could choose to experiment with different players.
