Sanjay Bangar's surprise pick for the number 3 spot in India's Test batting lineup. While a part of cricket fans like to see Karun Nair or Subhman Gill at that particular position, Bangar thinks in different ways. He dismissed both the batters from the No. 3 spot against England.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent two different sets of teams to the UK for preparations—India 'A' and the main squad. The five-match series will start on June 20, and before that, the team management has to find the right combination.

Filling up the void created by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be crucial for the officials, especially when there are multiple contenders for one position. Among the cricket fans and pundits, the main talking points are around the opening spot and the number 4 position, where Sharma and Kohli played for years. But number 3 is also a pivotal position; it was a spot where Cheteshwar Pujara used to play.

Read More: SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025 Day 1 Recap – Key performances and major highlights

The former batting coach of Team India preferred to utilize the newly appointed captain, Shubman Gill, at Number 4, the place vacated by Virat. 

"I think none of them in my book (possibilities of Gill or Karun at No. 3). If at all Karun is playing, he would bat slightly lower down the order. All indications are that Shubman Gill may bat at No. 4. So, the toss-up at No. 3 is going to be between Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran. Easwaran also got a good score in one of the practice matches they played," Sanjay Bangar said.

Karun Nair as a lower-middle order batter?

The cricketer-turned-expert reckoned Nair as a lower-order batter. He chose Gill at 4, Rishabh Pant at 5, and then Nair, who scored a wonderful double century against the England Lions. 

"I don’t think there is going to be any difference there. One of those two will play at No. 3. No. 4 will be Shubman Gill, No. 5 will be Rishabh Pant, and No. 6 will be Karun Nair. That’s my understanding of the situation," said Bangar.