July 19, 2025: Farokh Engineer, a former India wicketkeeper, has expressed concern about Karun Nair's performance in the current Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Engineer emphasized the batsman's inability to turn promising starts into significant runs for the Indian team led by Shubman Gill. This comes as pressure is growing on Nair to stay in the playing eleven ahead of the fourth Test, which begins July 23 in Manchester.

Nair's current performance in the series has been cause for concern. He only scored 40 in the first innings of the third Test at Lord's, scoring 131 runs over six innings at an average of 21.83. The batting lineup, particularly Nair's position at number three, has come under additional scrutiny after the team failed to achieve a target of 193 at Lord's. "Karun Nair has been having fantastic 20s and 30s.

Nair has made beautiful cover drives and scored a stunning 30 runs. However, a No is not expected to have a beautiful 30. 3. You must score a not-so-pretty 100. Runs are required on the board. To score, you need to be bigger. According to sources, Engineer should have much higher expectations.

Sai Sudharsan, who was batting third in the first Test at Headingley, showed promise despite being run out for a duck in the first innings and scoring 30 runs before being run out in the second. The management of the team decided not to use Sudharsan in the second Test, choosing instead to use all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy as bowling options. "We ought to select the best XI. I haven't seen Sai Sudharsan much. You must select the best player at the moment. Who will give you the most? You are representing your nation. Your reputation could be in danger. Therefore, I would advise ignoring age. Play him if he's good to win this Test match," Engineer continued. The inclusion of Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeeper is made necessary because Rishabh Pant is expected to play in the team as a specialist batsman in Manchester.

"His rhythm and tempo have been good," said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate of potential batting order changes. However, we require more from our top three. With multiple choices for the top-order positions, including Nair, Sudharsan, and the returning Pant, team management is faced with a dilemma.

Given the pressure from other batting options and the team's need for consistent top-order performances, Nair's performance in the fourth Test in Manchester could be crucial to his position in the team.

The batting lineup changes for the crucial fourth Test may be affected by the bowling combination that showed promise at Lord's. This could affect the final team selection. The team's decision will have to strike a balance between maintaining the efficient bowling unit that performed well in the previous match and the need for solid top-order batting.