The cricket world was buzzing when the Indian team management put Karun Nair at No.3 for the 3rd Test! This decision sparked a huge and lively debate among fans and cricket experts. A lot of folks felt it was pretty harsh, even a bit unfair, for young Sai Sudharsan to get dropped after getting just one proper shot at Test cricket. Everyone’s left scratching their heads, wondering if Sudharsan is now totally “out in the cold” after such a brief stint in the India XI for 3rd Test.
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The Tale of Two Talents：Why the Comparison?
Now, what is the reason behind the sudden comparison of Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan together? It resembles the plot of a great movie: the fresh, exciting young gun who is keen to establish himself and secure a permanent position vs the seasoned veteran who is seeking to make a huge comeback. Both are seriously good middle-order batsmen, and with India desperately trying to nail down that super important No. 3 position – you know, the one, legends like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara used to own? These two have become the centre of attention.
Recap the 1st Test in Headingley
Let’s examine their recent performance in tests. In the first Test at Headingley, the exciting left-hander Sai Sudharsan made his much-awaited Test debut. He was surrounded by a lot of buzz, particularly after he won the Orange Cap with a massive 759 runs in the IPL 2025 and destroyed it! But man, Test cricket is a whole different beast, isn’t it?
Not an ideal start for Sai Sudharsan in test cricket pic.twitter.com/AUzZocG8Hr
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) June 20, 2025
Unfortunately, he was out for a duck in his first inning, which led to a horrible start to his game. In the second innings, he scored a decent 30 off 48 balls, but he was unable to turn it into a big, game-changing total. As a result, he was abruptly dropped from the second Test, and also missed a spot in the India XI for 3rd Test.
Karun Nair, on the other hand, is like the wise old hand in red-ball cricket. He’d been out of the national team picture for ages, almost nine long years, but he’s been smashing runs in domestic cricket lately. Seriously, in the 2024-25 domestic season, he piled up an insane 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches, including four centuries! And get this, he also scored 779 runs with five centuries in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy innings!
Once a Triple Centurion, Now Searching for Runs…
A disappointing series for Karun Nair vs England! 🏏⚠️ pic.twitter.com/JRtkk8fRyv— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) July 14, 2025
His return to the squad was seen as a well-deserved reward for that incredible domestic form. But here’s the thing: in the first two Tests against England, where he batted at No. 6 in the 1st Test and then moved up to No. 3 in the 2nd Test, he just hasn’t quite found his rhythm, with scores of 0, 20, 31, and 26.
Therefore, the analogy is about these completely different stories rather than just the fact that they both bat at the same spot. In contrast to Nair’s shown Test record and unquestionable domestic run-scoring rampage, who is yearning for a strong comeback, you have Sudharsan’s raw, explosive talent and recent white-ball heroics that need time to click in Tests. Their efforts and the team’s future decision are hot topics because both are vying for a position that requires constant genius and composure!
Related Match：ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test of the India tour of England series on 06/20 at 03:30 PM IST
The Selection Conundrum：Why Nair Over Sudharsan?
The administration of the Indian team must have had good reason to select Karun Nair at No.3 position rather than Sai Sudharsan. First, experience is an indisputable component. Nair has experience playing Test cricket, and his triple century demonstrates his long-term batting prowess. Perhaps the team felt the pressure of a big Test match called for a more seasoned head. Secondly, his recent domestic form might have played a role; a strong showing in first-class cricket could have pushed his case.
It’s also possible that the team management considered the match-up against England’s bowlers or the specific pitch conditions at Headingley might favour Nair’s more traditional Test match technique. Sometimes, selections are also about team balance and what a player offers beyond just runs – perhaps Nair’s presence in the dressing room or his fielding prowess were also factored in. It could simply be a tactical, one-off change rather than a definitive statement on Sudharsan’s future.
Sudharsan’s Future：A Temporary Setback or a Long Haul?
Will Sai Sudharsan’s one or two subpar performances be enough to keep him out of action after getting left out of the India XI for 3rd Test? To be honest, that is unlikely. There is a learning curve for all new players because cricket is a difficult game, particularly at the international level. Sudharsan’s steady success in domestic cricket and white-ball formats demonstrates his true talent. He has the drive, attitude, and aptitude required for success.
Dear cricket please give Sai Sudharsan a chance in place of Karun Nair 🙏 pic.twitter.com/u0Z25m9fGg
— 𝐀 (@Aagneyax) July 13, 2025
One or two quiet games shouldn’t define a player’s entire Test career because Indian cricket has a long history of nurturing up-and-coming talent. He’ll probably return to playing domestic cricket, add more runs, and improve his skills. Instead of a permanent cold shoulder, it’s more of a brief setback, an opportunity to grow and bounce back. Sai Sudharsan in Indian colours will undoubtedly be seen more often in the future, possibly even sooner than we anticipate, and might even be with Karun Nair at No.3!
