Longer rope for Karun Nair? Ryan ten Doeschate wants more runs from India’s No.3

Karun Nair’s struggles in the India vs England series are well documented. The 33-year-old is yet to score a half-century in the 3 Tests, despite the surfaces being largely flat. And now with India down 2-1, questions regarding his place in the side are louder than ever. However, the Indian team management might continue to back the veteran ahead of the likes of Sai Sudharsan.

His rhythm is good: Ryan ten Doeschate backs Karun ahead of IND vs ENG 4th Test

Karun Nair has 131 runs in 6 innings this series, averaging a mere 21.83. Nair has gotten starts but has simply failed to convert them, often gifting his wicket to the opposition. He stroked a fluent 40 at Lord’s before being caught at slips. In the run chase, the 33-year-old had a ‘brain fade’ and was out LBW while offering no shot. India lost 6 wickets for 41 runs and conceded a series lead.

With the tour now in do or die territory, persistence with Karun Nair would be a bold step. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed the batter, saying despite his poor run, Nair has looked fluent.

“Even someone like Karun, we feel his rhythm is good, his tempo is good. We want more runs from the three. But the message is mainly, let’s really focus on what we’ve done well and tidy up the little things that have cost us results, essentially,” Doeschate said on the sidelines of India’s practice in Beckenham.

‘Day 5 morning cost us the test’

Karun scored a double century at No.3 in the tour game and has played the last 2 games at the position. The move was aimed at providing stability after a rotating doors situation since the Australia series. So far it hasn’t paid dividends. And while Karun’s runs have dried up, the management isn’t pointing any fingers.

“Probably both times in Headingley and obviously overnight and first thing in the morning at Lord’s, we feel cost us the game was losing six wickets for 40 again. But if you look at it individually, if you look at the run tally of all the batters they’re all batting nicely,” Doeschate added.

Should India opt against Nair, their options are Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran. Sudharsan got 0 & 20 in his debut at Headingley, while Easwaran is yet to feature for India. Karun worked hard to make it to the Indian team, but might just keep his place due to lack of alternatives.