Karun Nair got second chance to play Test match in England as India made four surprising changes for the Oval Test. The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah and leave out Shardul Thakur raised eyebrows, especially with the inclusion of Nair and young pacers. While fans expected debutants like Arshdeep Singh to finally get a chance, the team management opted for experience and reshuffling rather than experimentation.

Karun Nair, who made a comeback to the Test team after a long absence of over 3000 days, retained his place despite modest returns in the earlier matches. With just 131 runs across six innings and an average a little above 21, his performance so far hasn’t lived up to expectations. Still, the selectors chose to back him one more time, replacing Shardul Thakur a move that surprised both experts and fans.

Oval Test Drama Builds as Karun Nair Got Second Chance to Play Test Match

Shardul, known for his consistent contributions with the bat and ball in English conditions, was expected to feature in the playing XI. He has scored three Test fifties at the Oval in past matches, making him a valuable all-rounder in this specific venue. Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking during the broadcast, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, stating that the team needed a seam-bowling all-rounder, especially in Bumrah’s absence.

India’s playing XI looked significantly different from the last match. Jasprit Bumrah was rested, making way for Prasidh Krishna. Dhruv Jurel was included as the wicketkeeper, replacing Rishabh Pant, while Akash Deep came in for Anshul Kamboj. With Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in the lineup, India has a deep spin-bowling option, but the pace attack looked slightly inexperienced with only Siraj, Prasidh, and Akash Deep.

The omission of Arshdeep Singh, despite strong calls for his inclusion, suggested that the team is still unsure about giving him a Test debut. Prasidh, although back in the squad, was previously criticized for being expensive in his earlier outings. The team’s strategy appeared to focus on strengthening the batting unit, perhaps in response to the green surface at the Oval, but at the cost of bowling depth.

Pujara further criticized the imbalance, explaining that without Bumrah, the team lacked a cutting-edge pace threat. He added that even though the pitch had enough grass, India still needed to take 20 wickets to win, and going in with only three pacers was a risky decision. “This is England. You need seamers who can also bat. Shardul should have played,” he added.

Mixed Reactions as Karun Nair Got Second Chance to Play Test Match

Karun Nair’s inclusion might be seen as a gamble, but it also reflects the team management’s intent to trust experienced names despite recent form. Nair, once hailed for his triple century in Test cricket, has struggled to recreate that magic since. Yet, the Oval Test gives him a rare chance to silence critics and prove his place in the side.

England, on the other hand, won the toss and opted to bowl first, taking advantage of the pitch conditions. Their playing XI included a balanced combination of experienced batters and strong seamers like Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Overton. India will have to rely heavily on their top order and hope the young bowlers can rise to the occasion.

The match holds significance not just for the series, but also for players like Nair, Jurel, and Akash Deep, who are all under the spotlight. For Nair, especially, this could be a career-defining moment. If he performs well, the narrative of his second innings in Test cricket might finally begin. Also Read: KKR 2025 Shake-Up: Chandrakant Pandit’s Exit Signals Bold New Chapter 

Conclusion:

As Karun Nair got second chance to play Test match, all eyes will be on how he seizes the opportunity. With big names missing and unexpected choices made, the Oval Test promises high tension, and perhaps a turning point in Nair’s international career.