“Karun Nair Not A Number 3 Player”: Will Indian Team Management ‘Chop and Change’ Again At Lord’s?
Odisha, Bubhaneshwar– Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his concerns regarding certain selection decisions made by the Indian team management during the recent second Test against England. His primary point of contention revolves around the swift omission of young batter Sai Sudharsan after just one match.
Speaking on an ESPNcricinfo video, Manjrekar acknowledged that a victory often masks debatable choices, but he found some of the recent selections surprising. “There were some very interesting selections made in the last game which I didn’t agree with,” Manjrekar stated. “In the end, a win can put a cover on those decisions.”
Sudharsan’s Omission Under Scrutiny
Manjrekar specifically highlighted the decision concerning Sudharsan. “I thought Sai Sudharsan, after just one match, would be left out, considering he is a young player that we are looking at for the future. He played pretty okay in the second innings,” he observed. He expressed his personal preference for continuity with young talent, adding, “I’d like to stick with him but this team management is slightly different and they are not afraid to chop and change depending on the vibe.”
Advocating for Sudharsan at No. 3
Manjrekar further elaborated on his vision for the batting lineup, advocating for Sai Sudharsan to be given the crucial number three spot. He also weighed in on the suitability of Karun Nair for that position. “I would like to see Sai Sudharsan at number three. Karun Nair is not a number three player in my book,” he asserted.
He emphasized the unfairness of dropping Sudharsan prematurely. “It is unfair to drop him after one Test if everyone is getting big hundreds. I think Sai deserves that opportunity as well,” Manjrekar added.
A Call for Karun Nair’s Continued Opportunity
Despite his strategic preference for Sudharsan at number three, Manjrekar also extended his support for Karun Nair, acknowledging the significant emotional context surrounding his recent selection and return to the national side. “I would like Karun Nair to get one more chance just because of the story around his selection and comeback,” he said. To accommodate Nair, Manjrekar suggested that Nitish Kumar Reddy could potentially make way in the lower batting order. “Maybe Nitish Kumar Reddy could make place for him down the order,” he concluded.
