Karun Nair’s return to Test cricket was being seen as a fairytale comeback, but it appears to have met an abrupt halt at least for now. On Wednesday, July 23, India made a significant change to the India XI for the 4th Test against England at Manchester, replacing Nair with young left-hander Sai Sudharsan. The decision triggered debates among fans and experts alike, sparking questions about whether this signals Karun Nair’s career end in international cricket or just a temporary setback.
Related Article：Karun Nair at No.3 Leaves Sudharsan Out in the Cold?
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Why Did India Drop Karun Nair?
The move to drop Nair didn’t come as a complete surprise to those following the series closely. While he had earned his spot after an exceptional domestic run with standout performances in both the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, his performance at the highest level in this Test series fell short of expectations.
Karun Nair made a Test comeback after eight long years, in the first match of the England series.
But with no score above 40, he has been dropped after three Tests.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/bnFHpGoEYP
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 24, 2025
In three matches, he scored only 131 runs across six innings, averaging just 21.83 and failing to notch even a single half-century. For a player trying to cement his place after an eight-year gap, those numbers just didn’t cut it. Given the context and competition for places in India’s Test squad, such underwhelming returns inevitably fueled the growing chatter around Karun Nair’s career end.
Karun Nair is the only batter to finish his test career under 1000 runs despite a triple century. pic.twitter.com/nq1O2I6cax
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) July 23, 2025
With the stakes high in Manchester, the India XI for the 4th Test saw three major changes. Debutant Anshul Kamboj and all-rounder Shardul Thakur came in for the injured Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy, while Sai Sudharsan was brought back into the side to replace Nair in the middle order. The inclusion of Sai Sudharsan was seen as a move geared towards investing in youth and future potential.
Despite captain Shubman Gill’s vocal support for Nair just a day before the match, the team management ultimately chose to trust their instincts and current form over sentiment. It was a bold but necessary call. This decision also offered the clearest glimpse yet into Gautam Gambhir’s approach as head coach: unsentimental, form-focused, and unafraid of hard calls. While Nair’s comeback story resonated with fans, Gambhir’s focus remained fixed on performance, not narratives. Opting for Sai Sudharsan, despite the pressure of a must-win Test, wasn’t just tactical; it reflected a coaching mindset that prioritizes long-term meritocracy over short-term familiarity.
Did Sudharsan Justify His Return?
With India batting first in Manchester, all eyes turned to Sudharsan, who had previously been dropped after the opening Test at Headingley. His scores of 0 and 30 in that match didn’t quite convince the selectors or fans, so this outing offered a crucial second chance to prove his mettle. Replacing a veteran like Nair added pressure, especially amid murmurs of his end of international cricket career. The situation was made even more intense by the fact that the team had made significant changes to the India playing XI, signalling a do-or-die approach in the must-win game.
From visualising it to achieving it! 💙👏 pic.twitter.com/76lfh2WdnT
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 23, 2025
Despite the high stakes, Sai Sudharsan looked composed and ready for the big stage. Batting at a critical juncture, he scored a patient and well-crafted 61 off 151 balls, helping India recover after early setbacks. His confident strokeplay, better temperament, and improved shot selection showcased maturity beyond his age. It was the kind of innings that can define a young player’s place in the side. Though he didn’t go on to score a century, his fifty added weight to the selectors’ faith in him and justified his return to the India XI for the 4th Test. In doing so, it may have edged Karun Nair’s career end one step closer to finality.
Maiden Test FIFTY for Sai Sudharsan! 👏 👏
A solid knock from the #TeamIndia left-handed batter in Manchester 💪
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGtx3a#ENGvIND | @sais_1509 pic.twitter.com/cH8OgpN4eA
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025
At stumps on Day 1 of the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford, Manchester, India finished strongly at 264/4 in 83 overs after being put in to bat. Sudharsan impressed with a composed 61, while Yashasvi Jaiswal provided early momentum with a brisk 58. Captain Shubman Gill added 31 before falling to Ben Stokes, who picked up two wickets. Rishabh Pant retired hurt on 37 after a promising start, leaving Ravindra Jadeja (19)* and Shardul Thakur (19)* unbeaten at the close of play. England’s bowlers toiled with little reward, as India built a solid platform heading into Day 2.
Is This the End of Karun Nair’s Test Career?
It’s tempting to conclude that this marks Karun Nair’s career end, especially given his age and the presence of younger options like Sai Sudharsan performing under pressure. After more than 3000 days out of the national side, Nair earned a comeback through sheer domestic brilliance, but 131 runs in six innings just weren’t enough to hold onto his place in India XI for the 4th Test. Being replaced mid-series sends a strong signal.
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Still, ruling him out entirely might be premature. Karun continues to be one of India’s most consistent domestic batters, with 863 runs in the Ranji season and a monstrous Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign. His experience and ability to anchor long innings still make him a viable backup, if not a frontline option. Whether that’s enough to overcome the perception of Karun Nair’s career end, only time will tell.
Final Words
The reality is, Indian cricket is evolving rapidly, and the opportunities are fewer for players trying to make a second comeback. But for someone of Nair’s calibre, a comeback, even if unlikely, can’t be ruled out entirely. For now, though, Sai Sudharsan has grabbed the spotlight, and the selectors seem to have moved ahead, at least when choosing India XI for the 4th Test. Whether this was the end or just a pause in Karun Nair’s career remains to be seen.
