The much-anticipated return of Karun Nair to the Indian Test team has turned into a bitter disappointment. After yet another poor outing at Lord’s, where he scored just 40 and 14, Nair has failed to impress in all three Tests against England, accumulating six underwhelming innings without even a half-century to his name. His repeated failures have sparked outrage among fans and experts alike, with many questioning the decision to bring him back into the squad over in-form players like Shreyas Iyer.
Nair, who famously scored a triple century against England back in 2016, returned to the Test arena after a gap of eight years. Expectations were naturally high, but he has struggled to live up to them. His scores in the series—0 & 20 in the first Test, 31 & 26 in the second, and now 40 & 14 at Lord's—paint a picture of a batsman under pressure and lacking confidence. Former cricketers like R Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik, and Mike Atherton have all pointed out the technical flaws and poor shot selection that have led to his repeated dismissals. Ashwin noted on his YouTube Live that Nair has consistently failed to convert starts and has been guilty of leaving straight balls—something that often indicates mental pressure rather than technical error. Dinesh Karthik criticized Nair’s judgment in the Lord’s Test, saying, “I don’t know what he was thinking… it was a very bad leave.”
The criticism isn't limited to cricket pundits. Social media has erupted with frustration over the continued faith shown in Karun Nair, especially at the cost of excluding a player like Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, who has been in excellent form in the IPL, domestic cricket, and even the Champions Trophy, was surprisingly left out. Fans have accused the selectors—and particularly Gautam Gambhir, who’s involved in team decisions—of favoritism. One viral post read: “Nation over ego, GG! Time to pick the team that wins, not settles old scores.”
The debate over Nair’s place has gained further traction with fans circulating stats and comparisons. Iyer’s recent form is strong, and many believe he would have made a significant impact if included in the playing XI. The decision to prioritize Karun Nair for a comeback, ignoring someone as consistent and match-ready as Iyer, has left both fans and cricket analysts scratching their heads.
As the Test series progresses, it remains to be seen whether Karun Nair will be given another opportunity, or if the team management will finally turn to Shreyas Iyer, who many feel has been unfairly sidelined. One thing is certain: Karun Nair is running out of chances, and the pressure is mounting—not just on him, but on those who continue to back him despite his repeated failures.
