With Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket, India’s iconic No.4 batting spot is up for grabs. Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble believes Karun Nair is the right man to carry forward the legacy of Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli at that crucial position.
Kumble highlighted that Nair, 33, has been in outstanding form in domestic cricket. The Karnataka batter scored 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and followed it up with 860 runs in the red-ball season, including four centuries. His match-winning performance in the final for Vidarbha has brought him back into the national conversation.
Why Karun Nair?
Kumble pointed out that Nair’s experience in England, including playing County cricket, makes him a strong candidate for the upcoming Test series in June. “You need someone in England who has been there and done that,” Kumble said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing domestic performers to keep the system fair and motivate young players to grind in first-class cricket.
The Competition for No.4
While Nair remains a strong contender, India also has other options like KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Sarfaraz Khan. However, Rahul is likely to play as a wicketkeeper-batter, and both Iyer and Sarfaraz have fitness and consistency concerns.
Another emerging name is Sai Sudharsan, who has impressed across formats but has yet to prove himself in red-ball cricket at the international level.
What’s Next?
India will begin a five-match Test series against England starting June 20. With no Kohli or Rohit Sharma in the squad, a new era of Indian Test cricket begins, and Karun Nair may just get the opportunity to script his comeback at the iconic No.4 slot.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis, and viral moments!