India are 2-1 down in the Test series against England. With the fourth Test at Old Trafford around the corner, they have made a big change Karun Nair has been dropped, and Sai Sudharsan, who made his debut on 20 June at Headingley, stays in the XI.
It’s a big call ahead of a must-win match and comes just after skipper Shubman Gill publicly backed Nair.
At a press conference, Shubman Gill spoke in support of Karun Nair, “He didn’t bat at his number in the first game and we’ve had conversations with him he will turn it around.”
Nair who was brought in as a senior middle order option after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped away from Test cricket scored only 131 runs in 6 innings.
Despite Gill’s backing, the team has now gone with players who are delivering. The young left-hander showed good technique and composure which is exactly what India needs in English conditions.
Also coming into the XI are Shardul Thakur and Anshul Kamboj. Out go Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep a mix of selection based on form and injuries.
While the squad changes made headlines, Shubman Gill’s calm and smiling press conference went viral online. Fans felt his body language didn’t match the situation.
“He smiled like India are leading 2-1 not England,” one fan wrote. Another added, “He knows we’re not winning the series anyway that’s why it doesn’t matter who plays.”
It’s clear some fans expect more seriousness especially when India haven’t won a Test series in England in 18 years.
Despite Gill’s public show of support, the team has gone with Nair. The move means performance is now the priority.
With Sai Sudharsan staying and new names like Shardul and Kamboj coming in, India are banking on fresh energy to turn things around.
The fourth Test is not just about levelling the series it’s about keeping India’s 18 year old dream alive on English soil.
