Should the team India take Sai Sudhrasana and Karun Nair to number 3?

After India lost the Headingley Test by five wickets, against England, the biggest topic of discussion has been, as to what changes should be made in the playing XI for the second clash. While many want Kuldeep Yadav to be included, there are also a few, who prefer seeing Nitish Kumar Reddy purely as a batter in the team.

Karun Nair Deserves to be At No.3

In fact, former India opener Deep Dasgupta wants Karun Nair to bat at No. 3, in place of Sai Sudharsan. Not for the reason, he failed in the Leeds match, but purely on basis of team combination. Speaking on Star Sports show Game Plan, Deep said, “In general, you don’t want to make too many changes after the first game, but you have also got to think this is a very young side. It’s a new captain, newish side. So you have got to get the combination right.”

Opens Up Space for Nitish Kumar Reddy

While advocating for Karun at No. 3, he added that, that is the position where the 33-year-old got his double ton for India A vs England Lions. “Karun Nair has got most of his runs at No. 3. Also, he batted for India A against the England Lions at No. 3.”

“So you might want to look at Karun Nair at No. 3. That opens up a space for someone like Nitish at No. 6, who, if required, can give you a few overs of seam.” Then adding on Sai Sudharsan, he said, the southpaw’s exclusion isn’t reflective of his performance. “I will have a chat with Sai Sudharsan and say this is not a reflection of what happened in the first Test, but this is a combination thing. So that conversation becomes very, very important, how you put it across to someone like Sai,” he added.