Anil Kumble, a former captain of India, thinks his country shouldn't make too many changes for the fourth Test match against England in Manchester. Despite India's 22-run defeat at Lord's, the veteran also supported Karun Nair, the country's third batsman, to maintain his spot in the squad.  

Following the defeat at Lord's, England now has a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The next Test match is scheduled for July 23.

Karun Nair, making his India Test comeback after 8 years, has played all three Tests in this England Test series. He has gotten starts, with 131 runs in 6 innings, with a best of 40 at an average of 21.83. The lack of a big score and the brain fade moment on day 4 of the Lord’s Test, when he shouldered arms to an inswinger, have led him criticism, and many have questioned his spot in the team.

"I don't want to make too many changes because I think India has played a fantastic game. Yes, they lost by 22 runs. Unless injuries, we don't know about Rishabh Pant.

He (Karun Nair) certainly keeps his place. He did enough in the first innings. In the second innings, it was probably a brain fade, but he was batting well. That partnership was crucial,” Anil Kumble said on Star Sports.

Kumble mentioned how Nair and KL Rahul's 61-run partnership in the first innings shielded captain Shubman Gill from having to face the new ball too soon.

"If he had gotten out early, then maybe Shubman Gill exposed slightly earlier with the new ball. We know that the first 20 or 25 overs were crucial. I think he will still keep his place. He was unfortunate that he got out. It was a brilliant catch by Joe Root. Probably give him one more opportunity," Kumble added.

Kumble also praised Ravindra Jadeja’s recent batting contributions, especially from the lower order.

When asked if lower-order runs were India’s biggest positive from Lord’s, he said, "The first Test, when India lost, the contribution from the lower order was nothing in the two innings, and since then, Ravindra Jadeja has certainly stepped up with his batting. He certainly will feel confident, and the team management will also feel so much more confident that the lower order is now contributing."

Kumble noted Jadeja’s ability to build partnerships with both top and lower-order players.

"He has been the sole sort of leader in that middle order to hold the innings, not just with a recognized batter, and putting together a partnership, but also ensuring that the lower order starts contributing along with him, and those partnerships that he has had, even in the first innings with Nitish Kumar Reddy, second innings with him, and of course, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj," he said.

Jadeja scored 72 and 61* in the two innings at Lord’s and almost took India to a miracle win.