Gill backs Nair to come good soon

Manchester: It’s been a series of missed opportunities for Karun Nair so far in this series. Making a return to the Indian team after eight years following a stirring domestic run for Vidarbha, the stage was set for the Bengalurean to complete one of the memorable comeback stories of Indian sport in recent times. 

It hasn’t been the case though with the 33-year-old managing scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14 that has put his position under the scanner with a young Sai Sudharsan, who debuted in the series opener in Leeds but has been dropped since then, waiting in the wings. While the scores suggest an average performance from Nair, the right-hander, barring the duck, has looked good in the remaining instances. He has middled the ball nicely before getting out when completely set.

When asked if Nair, who was promoted to No. 3 from the second Test onwards, would be dropped for the 23-year-old Sudharsan, Indian skipper Shubman Gill said an emphatic no. “We think Karun is batting well. First match he didn't really play in his number (Nair batted at No. 6). It's difficult when a player is making a comeback in a series like this. But I don't think there's been any issue with his batting. I think he's been batting well. 

“Sometimes it's also about getting that flick. Once you're able to make your 50, then you're able to get back into your zone and get some big runs. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for him so far, but we are hopeful that he will be able to turn it around.”