'There will be a lot of pressure on him' - Former India player reacts to Karun Nair's selection for ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Former India spinner Murali Kartik has weighed in on Karun Nair's position in India's playing XI for the upcoming fourth Test against England, starting Wednesday, July 23, at Old Trafford in Manchester. After returning to the Test side following an eight-year absence, Nair has struggled to deliver the impactful performances expected of him. Kartik believes the pressure is now mounting on the 33-year-old due to his underwhelming showings so far in the series.

"Karun Nair banged and broke the door, did everything, and made a comeback. That is why he has been in the 11 as well. But from No. 5 or 6, he was shifted up to No. 3 as he has experience. Given the number of runs he scored, he got a chance because of that. But has he grabbed the opportunity so far? I don't think so, and there will be a lot of pressure on him," Kartik said during an appearance on Cricbuzz.

When asked if Nair should stay on for the fourth Test, Kartik acknowledged the importance of continuity of team selection. However, he also reiterated that players cannot expect to be selected and just be in the playing XI without backing up that selection with some form. "Will India look at continuity? They should. Because if you are playing any player with some logic, you want the player to prove that right. But it is also important to see if the player has converted the runs based on the experience. Has he done it? Maybe not. So it will be interesting to see what Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill think about him for the next game," Kartik added.

Nair’s Mixed Returns Since Comeback

Karun Nair’s recall was based on his stellar 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 863 runs at an average of 53.93, including four centuries and two fifties. However, his returns in the current England series have been modest, having only 131 runs from six innings, at an average of 21.83. He has had a few starts, including a top score of 40, but has not been able to kick on.

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With the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India is looking for stable options in the top and middle order. However, the presence of alternatives like Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran puts Nair’s place in jeopardy. If he gets picked for the fourth Test, it could be a make-or-break moment for the experienced right-hander.