‘Sometimes you need luck…’: Karun Nair’s coach backs him amid comeback talks

Karun Nair is back in the Indian squad for the England series after 8 years away, and he will be hoping for a great performance. While his domestic form played a role, it was primarily his experience that tilted the scales in his favour following Virat Kohli’s unexpected retirement. At 33, Nair’s first-class experience gave him an advantage over younger names like Sai Sudharsan and Sarfaraz Khan when the selectors made their final call.

After three tests, there is still uncertainty over whether the selectors and team management have backed the correct player. Nair’s highest score is 40 in six innings. Nair’s has been in a poor form as he scored 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14 respectively.

Following a heartbreaking loss at Lord’s, the pressure on the Indian team has increased. The Indian team now trails 1-2 in the series with two matches remaining. After failing to chase down 193 following a top-order collapse in the second innings that led to a 22-run defeat, Karun Nair’s place in the playing XI is been questioned.

Nair has finally been given his chance that he was waiting for, and yet again, it’s a make or break situation in his career. With left-hander Sai Sudarshan also a possibility for the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting on Wednesday, Nair’s supporters are heavily supporting him and are hoping he gets another chance. They feel he still has potential and can provide much more than he has displayed thus far in the series.

Nair’s childhood coach blames ‘Luck’ for his performance

Nair’s childhood coach, Vijayakumar Madyalkar said, “We haven’t seen him in any discomfort (against any bowler), the only thing is he is getting out to wicket-taking deliveries. It is not that he is getting beaten or throwing his wicket. Definitely you get more wicket-taking deliveries when you play at the top level. Something like that is going to happen at the top level. Sometimes you need that element of luck too.”

Vijayakumar Madyalkar further said, “He will make a strong comeback, he is known for that. I am very confident, a hundred is due.”

Although Nair may not have played a big innings, the selectors must assess whether he is doing his job in the team primarily, working to lay a solid foundation for a innings. In the first Test at Birmingham he shared an 80 run stand for the second wicket with captain Shubman Gill, part of a gigantic total of 587, backing up a fluent 31 runs before falling to a short ball from Brydon Carse.

Nair’s coach on his second innings at Lord’s

He made a mistake in the second innings at Lord’s when he left a delivery that hit him leg before. But according to his coaches, he has generally been dismissed for outstanding catches or deliveries. He insists that only the most recent innings was a result of poor judgment.

“He has not played a shot out of overconfidence. His mode of dismissals do not show that he has got carried away. His routines are perfect. He is batting confidently, and that is how it should be, but he is not hitting shots which are not there,” says Madyalkar.

Nair ready for Do-or-die Test, says coach

Losing concentration is often cited as the reason for wasting a strong start, typically when a batter makes an unnecessary shot. However, Nair’s coach claims that hasn’t been the case.

Both Nair and his coaches understand how crucial the next two Test matches are to his career. Playing for the team is the best option, Madyalkar suggested. “Every game is a do-or-die situation, and he knows how to deal with it. When you look to give a hundred per cent for the team, the best will come out. Thinking that I need to safeguard my place doesn’t help. If you play for the team it helps more. Nair knows it and he will come back strong.”

 

 

 

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