The unprecedented resurgence of Karun Nair has caught the attention of several cricketing pundits. Of late, Karun has made headlines by stitching together a string of promising performances in the domestic arena across formats. The Karnataka-born batter rose to prominence back in 2016 when he slammed a breathtaking triple hundred against England, making him only the third triple centurion for India in Test cricket. However, after that triumph, the 33-year-old lost his spark over the years and eventually got sidelined from the Test side.  

But years of grinding in the domestic circuit have given him a second chance to cement his place permanently in the Indian Test squad. His performances in recent times have been noteworthy and calls for his inclusion in the Test side seem to grow louder. In this article, he will emphasize three key reasons why Karun Nair must bat at number three in the upcoming England tour. 

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Experience batter at number three

Karun has a steady technique which complies well with the requirements of a typical number three batsman. At this position, he can stabilize the innings in case of an early wicket. Unlike traditional number three batters, Nair also has the ability to shift gears when needed, especially against spin. Besides, his ability to consistently rotate strike keeps pressure away from the big hitters. Throughout his First-Class career, Karun has demonstrated versatility while batting across several positions. Although he frequently bats in the middle order, his adaptability enables him to perform effectively in various positions, including number three. His technical proficiency and capacity to anchor innings render him a valuable asset in that role.

Recent form (Double century against England Lions)

Karun has the ability to score big against England, and his recent knock of 204 serves as a true testament to that fact. On a seam-friendly deck, Karun displayed a calculated approach and a calm demeanor while going about constructing his innings.  The maturity in his batting was evident. The 33-year-old partnered with Sarfaraz Khan at a tricky time and stitched a galloping 181-run stand for the third wicket to turn the tables on England Lions. He played a stroke-filled innings of high quality as he did not let go of any scoring opportunity and pounded the inexperienced Lions bowlers, scoring at a belligerent strike rate of nearly 73. Karun is no stranger to the English conditions and has played a fair bit of country cricket in England before. His double ton has not only propelled the visitors to the top but also solidified his chances of securing a Test recall after nine long years.

Has got the Test temperament

Karun Nair is someone who does not come across as a natural hard hitter. But his ability to play a wide range of strokes with control and precision against both pace and spin makes him a valuable asset for Team India in the longest format. Having played at the highest level, including a triple century in Tests, Karun brings situational awareness to tackle pressure situations, plus the maturity to read bowlers and conditions better than many younger players. Since Karun is naturally not a hard pinch-hitter, he can come at no.3 and face more deliveries, thus increasing his chances to contribute significantly. The triple-centurion is a gem of a batsman and has the tenacity to play a long innings. Being technically astute against pace and spin, Karun can anchor the innings and allow the finishers or the aggressive batters to play freely around him.