‘Karun Nair can be Virat Kohli’s replacement at No. 4 in England Tests’: Anil Kumble | Cricket News
As India moves into a hard transition following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former India captain Anil Kumble feels Karun Nair could be one of the gainers when the Test team for England is announced. Furthermore, a question over India’s next No. 4 lingers as the position sees uncertainy for the first time in over three decades after being dominated by Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar before him.
India are staring at a steep challenge with the five-match Test tour starting next month and an inexperienced middle-order at their disposal. Kumble feels the 33-year-old Nair can be the immediate solution for the Test side, also bringing his experience to replace Kohli at No. 4.
“I don’t think anybody thought through who’s gonna bat at No.4. Rohit (Sharma) in Australia didn’t play the first Test, so there was a change in the batting order. Once (KL) Rahul did well, Rohit dropped down the order and then he dropped himself from the XI in that last Test. So you sort of know who is the backup opener for India, but I don’t think anyone thought through No.4,” Kumble told ESPNCricinfo.
“Karun deserves to come back into the Indian team with the kind of domestic run he has had. So perhaps he could be the No.4 for India because I feel, you need a bit of experience. You ned someone in England who has been there and done that. He has played County cricket, so he knows the conditions. Karun may be on the other side of 30, but he is still young,” Kumble told.
The Karnataka batter who has represented Vidarbha in the domestic circuit since last year, had a blockbuster run in the 2024-25 domestic season across formats. Nair ran a stunning streak in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, slamming 779 runs in eight innings while being dismissed only twice. Nair smoked five centuries, including four in succession, as Vidarbha finished runners-up in the 50-overs tournament.
Nair, however, still had more to deliver as he smashed a fifty and a century in the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala to lead Vidarbha to the title while tallying his best-ever season. Nair aggregated 863 runs in nine matches with four tons.
“If he gets an opportunity, there will be a lot more hope for youngsters to play first-class cricket. If the sheer performance in domestic cricket doesn’t get recognised, it becomes a bit of a challenge,” Kumble added.
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Nair, who last represented India eight years ago, was part of the squad in the 2018 tour to England but did not get a game. Despite his record-breaking Test triple hundred against England in Chennai, Nair’s run ended at six matches then, scoring 374 runs at a 62.33.
