India Tour of England: Batting Coach Kotak Defends Karun Nair’s Selection Amid Mixed Returns

Following the conclusion of Day 4 in the Manchester Test, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media and shed light on the team’s decision to persist with Karun Nair in the playing XI.

Responding to questions about Nair’s inclusion over Sai Sudharsan, Kotak said:

“Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill can speak more about that. When Gill said we’ll back Karun, he would have meant as a batter. He didn’t do badly — he got starts.”

Karun Nair, who was recalled to the Test side following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in May, has yet to produce a defining knock. Meanwhile, Sudharsan, who featured in just one match in the series, impressed with a gritty half-century in Manchester before being dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings.

With India’s next Test assignment scheduled at home against the West Indies starting October 2, questions remain over whether the management will continue to back Nair or look elsewhere for stability in the middle order.

Match Update: India Fight Back After Early Jolt

On the field, England had a glimmer of hope early on Day 4 after Chris Woakes removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sudharsan off consecutive deliveries in the opening over of India’s second innings. However, Shubman Gill (78*) and KL Rahul (87*) staged a solid recovery, guiding India to 174/2 by stumps — trailing England by 137 runs.

With rain forecast for Day 5, England’s window for forcing a result may be narrowing, despite having been in a commanding position earlier in the day.