Not in Karun Nair. Sai Reforms out for 3, 2 Tests and Nitish Reddy?

Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has recommended that India leave out Sai Sudharsan for the ENG vs IND 2nd Test at Edgbaston. The Tamil Nadu batter, who made his debut in the Leeds Test, failed to fire at number 3 with knocks of 0 and 30. Dasgupta reckons that India should rather promote Karun Nair to number 3 while also include Nitish Kumar Reddy in their playing XI.

Speaking on Star Sports, Dasgupta said that India needed to make two changes to their playing XI for the ENG vs IND 2nd Test, although he doesn’t recommend making amends right after the 1st Test. He said that as a new team with a new captain, India ought to get their combination right. Dasgupta threw his weight behind Karun to be promoted to number 3, noting that he had scored runs in the past while batting there and had also essayed that role for India A against England Lions.

“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,” Dasgupta said.

Apart from stating this move would allow Nitish to be India’s number 6, the ex-Indian star also said that leaving Sai Sudharsan out had nothing to do with his performances in Leeds. He stressed on the need to have the right conversation with the Tamil Nadu batter while communicating to him that he was going to be left out of the playing XI.

“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.