Karun Nair has scored enough runs that make you feel he shouldn’t be dropped: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has stated that the Indian No.3 batter Karun Nair has had a fair series so far, putting up a decent show with the willow with his scores in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Delving into the details, Nair, who batted in the middle-order, started the Leeds Test with a duck in the first innings. Later, he scored 20 runs in the second innings of the opening Test, failing to make it big.

Subsequently, in the second Test, he moved up to No.3 and got the starts, but could score only 31 and 26 runs in both innings. In the first innings of the Lord’s Test, he scored 40 runs, but got out off Ben Stokes.

"He has scored enough runs that you feel the guy shouldn't be dropped and should be given more opportunities because he is looking okay. He is not looking great, but he is not looking very poor either. Another thing is about luck as they have held very good catches of his, whether it was the Ollie Pope one or this Joe Root one," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"However, the truth is that he hasn't been able to make the most of his opportunities, but it's also true that he has remained in the game. You won't drop him. If he plays another 30 or 40-run knock in the second innings, you have to play him in the next Test. It's as simple as that," he added.

At stumps on Day 2 of the ongoing Test, India are trailing by 242 runs in the first innings with the scorecard reading 145/3 in 43 overs. Opener KL Rahul and keeper-batter Rishabh Pant are batting at the crease.

"We are 242 runs behind for sure, but it's been a very slow-moving match. I am still wondering whether the pitch is difficult for batting or the batters are batting with a different approach, because both England and India have moved at a slow pace. The pitch has gotten a little faster. I feel we need to go beyond 387," he observed.

"If we concede a lead, it should be small. You want to bat long now because when you have to bat last, it's important that, when you bat second, you bat a lot bigger and a lot longer. Generally, runs per innings keep reducing, although the most runs were scored in the WTC final in the final innings at this ground. This does not look like that pitch," Chopra noted.

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