At just 23, Sai Sudharsan has impressed during the IPL with his ability to consistently score runs. His sound technique makes him a strong contender to anchor India’s top order for years to come.
However, Sudharsan's Test debut at Headingley against England didn't go as planned. He was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the first innings and a decent 30(48) in the second.
Sudharsan was benched for the following Test, with Nitish Kumar Reddy coming into the XI and Karun Nair promoted to bat at No. 3.
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With Nair struggling to score runs in both games, Sanjay Manjrekar weighed in ahead of the Lord’s Test, naming his pick for India’s ideal No. 3.
Manjrekar picks between Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair for India number 3
During a segment on ESPNcricinfo ahead of the Lord's, Manjrekar expressed his disappointment over dropping Sai Sudharsan after just one Test.
He considered the southpaw a crucial cog for the team's future and believed in giving him multiple chances at a crucial position in the top order.
"There were some interesting selections in the last game which I didn't agree with, but in the end, a win can completely put a cover on those decisions," he said.
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"I would like to stick with Sai Sudharsan, but this team management is not afraid to chop and change every game depending on the vibe and watching the players in the nets," Manjrekar added.
Does Manjrekar want Karun Nair to be dropped?
He also highlighted Nair's form in the 2024/25 season, where he scored nine centuries with 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The 59-year-old felt Nair's role in guiding Vidarbha to the Ranji title and Vijay Hazare finals should be rewarded. Despite his failures in the two Tests so far, Manjrekar felt he deserved another shot in the Lord's Test but not in a number 3 role.
"Karun Nair is not a number 3 in my book. In these [English] conditions, perhaps he can manage, but in the long term, it is unfair to drop him [Sudharsan] with so many players getting runs," he further added.
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"I would like Karun Nair to get one more chance because of the story around his selection and comeback, and maybe Nitish Kumar Reddy can make a place for him down the order," he concluded.
How has Karun Nair performed in England in 2025?
Nair has scored 0, 20, 31, and 26 in four innings of the first two Tests after his long-awaited return to Test cricket.
Five Indian batters have scored centuries in the first two Tests so far. Nair is the only one without fifty in the top-6 during the last Test at Edgbaston.
If he is given another opportunity at Lord’s, it could be a make-or-break moment, especially as Nair is set to turn 34 later this year and competition for middle-order spots is heating up.
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