Former India opener Aakash Chopra has called on selectors to give Karun Nair one final chance in the Indian Test team after his recent comeback. Nair, who once scored a historic triple century, has shown glimpses of form but hasn’t capitalized. Chopra insists that Nair deserves at least one more game before any final decision is made.
Aakash Chopra Urges: Give Karun Nair One Final Chance in Test Cricket
Karun Nair, who once lit up Indian cricket with a stunning triple century, is now fighting to extend his Test career. Having earned a comeback through consistent domestic performances, Nair has failed to convert promising starts into significant scores. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has stepped forward to urge selectors to give Karun Nair one final chance.
In the second Test at Edgbaston, the team management made notable changes. Youngster Sai Sudharsan was dropped, Washington Sundar was added to bolster the all-round department, and Nair was promoted to the critical No. 3 position. Although Nair displayed confidence and elegant strokeplay, he couldn’t deliver a big score a concern for the Indian team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated, “I would say give Karun Nair one final chance for sure, because this is now his last shot. He scored a triple century earlier, then got dropped, which was slightly unfair.”
Chopra pointed out that comebacks aren’t easy in Indian cricket and players should be given sufficient time to prove themselves. “In the first two matches, we saw glimpses that he can bat well, but he hasn’t scored too many runs,” Chopra said. He suggested selectors should give Nair at least one more Test match which would bring him to six innings since his return and then decide.
“When giving a player a chance, err on the side of giving one extra game than one fewer. Comebacks don’t happen easily. Give Karun Nair one final chance either to fail or to succeed,” Chopra insisted.
Besides Nair’s inclusion, India also handed a spot to Nitish Kumar Reddy, replacing Shardul Thakur. While Reddy is a promising all-rounder, he lacks Thakur’s Test-level experience, especially in overseas conditions.
Nair’s journey back into the squad wasn’t easy. After being sidelined, he moved to Vidarbha and rebuilt his reputation through sheer performance in domestic circuits. Now, with just a few innings left to secure his place, he finds himself at a critical crossroads.
Chopra’s statement underscores the sentiment that a player of Nair’s caliber deserves a complete opportunity before conclusions are drawn. If given that final match, it could very well define the rest of Karun Nair’s international career.
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FAQ
Q1: Why is Aakash Chopra supporting Karun Nair?
Because he believes Nair has shown potential and deserves one full final opportunity to prove himself.
Q2: What is Karun Nair best known for in Tests?
He is best known for his unbeaten 303* against England in 2016.
Q3: How many innings has Karun Nair played since his return?
He has played four innings so far. Chopra suggests he should play six before any decision is made.
Q4: Who was dropped in the second Test to include Nair?
Sai Sudharsan was dropped, and Nair was promoted to No. 3.
Q5: What other team changes occurred in the Edgbaston Test?
Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy were brought in, while Shardul Thakur was left out.
