India's top-order batting dilemma was discussed by veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has questioned the team management's choice to move Karun Nair to No. 3 in the second and third Test matches of the current Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy match against England.
The move, in Ashwin's opinion, was a tactical error that upset the concentration of a player who had never batted in that position before.
“Karun Nair has never played at No. 3. Now, by playing him at No. 3, you have put his mindset in a block,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Nair was elevated to No. 3 in Birmingham and Lord's after starting at No. 6 in the first Test at Headingley, but he was unable to make an impression and was left out of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Sai Sudharsan, who took Nair's place and scored a calm 61 off 151 balls on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, was praised by Ashwin instead.
“Credit to Sai Sudharsan, because it is not easy being a youngster after getting dropped and with India 1-2 behind in the series to come into the fourth Test and respond the way he did. I think he has to own that No. 3 for the near future to be able to give a bit of solidity for the team,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin also compared Sudharsan with Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, legends who owned the no.3 spot before him. Ashwin also pointed out a technical flaw in Sudharsan’s game, suggesting England missed a trick.
“He showed that sort of solidity. He was able to leave the ball. He earned the right to score those runs. I am a bit upset because I am a huge well-wisher of him. He could have scored a hundred.
One thing that will give him trouble early on is the ball coming back in from over the stumps. Shardul Thakur dismissed him in that fashion in a Ranji Trophy final,” Ashwin added.
“What a fine, fine knock for somebody playing in his second Test. He was technically equipped and mentally strong. There was no need to drop him earlier,” Ashwin concluded.
India ended Day 1 at 264/4, with Jadeja and Shardul on 19* each and Rishabh Pant retired hurt on 37*.
