Overview

• Karun Nair has scored just 117 runs in five innings since his recall and has yet to convert a start into a fifty, with a top score of 40 in the first innings at Lord’s.
• Cheteshwar Pujara highlighted technical concerns over Nair’s tendency to get stuck in his crease and urged him to move his back foot more decisively.
• Sai Sudharsan remains on standby for the number three position and could replace Nair if he fails to deliver a significant score in the second innings.
• Nair earned his return after amassing 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season but has struggled to mirror that form at Test level.
• A strong second-innings performance is essential for Nair to retain his place for the fourth Test in Manchester.