ENG vs IND: Gautam Gambhir strictly ordered to play Sai Sudharsan instead of Karun Nair at three in the Manchester test by ex-India star

Sanjay Manjrekar wants India to pick Sai Sudharsan over Karun Nair at the No.3 spot.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has backed Sai Sudharsan instead of Karun Nair in the Indian Cricket Team‘s playing XI for the fourth test against the England Cricket Team. The match between the teams will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.

Sai Sudharsan made his test debut in the opening game at Headingley, Leeds. He got out for duck in the first innings and scored 30 runs in the second innings. However, after the first test, he was dropped from the playing XI.

Karun Nair, who batted at six in the first game, was promoted to three in the next two games. However, he has largely struggled to make an impact with the bat. The right-handed batsman has piled up just 131 runs across six innings. He has also failed to score a half-century across three games.

Sanjay Manjekar backs Sai Sudharsan instead of Karun Nair

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, reputed commentator Manjrekar said that Sudharsan should play at three instead of Nair in the next game. Manjrekar also mentioned that he always wanted the left-hander to play after the first test.

“Sai Sudharsan was always my No. 3 after the first test match, there was promise shown with 30 runs. And when you have flat pitches and one of England’s weakest bowling attack, you want to play a young player”, he said.

“So Karun Nair at No. 3 I didn’t agree with maybe the team management might just want to prove a point that we were backing the right horse and give him one more match that’s something happen with team management but I would like to see Sai Sudharsan at No. 3,” he added.

Meanwhile, England lead the five-match test series 2-1. The fourth test is a must-win game for India to keep their chances of series victory alive. England have replaced injured Shoaib Bashir with Liam Dawson in their squad for the Manchester test.

India have faced a few injuries in their squad as well. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series with a knee injury. Arshdeep Singh has been ruled out of the fourth test after sustaining a hand injury during a practice session.

Akash Deep is suffering from a groin injury and might be unavailable for the next game. India have added pacer Anshul Kamboj as a cover for Arshdeep in their squad for the last two games.

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