Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Karun Nair failed to make the most of the opportunities handed to him in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. While the 33-year-old did manage to score a gritty half-century in challenging conditions at The Oval, Bangar felt he could have done much more in the earlier matches where batting was comparatively easier.
The series ended 2-2 with India winning the fifth Test at The Oval by just six runs. Nair, who returned to the Test setup after eight years, featured in four matches and scored 205 runs at an average of 25.63. He failed to produce the match-defining knock that could have sealed his spot for the future.
His return was seen as a golden opportunity to revive his international career but inconsistency hurt his case. The half-century in the fifth Test gave him some consolation but his failure to convert starts left many questions unanswered.
Also read: England vs India 5th test: Joe Root’s Class Act Toward Karun Nair Goes Viral After Resilient Knock
Missed Opportunity? Sanjay Bangar Feels Karun Nair Fell Short
During a discussion on Star Sports' show Follow the Blues, Bangar was asked to assess Karun Nair’s performance. He acknowledged that Nair played well in the final Test but emphasized that he had enough chances to do more.
"He could have done more because much was expected of him. That average could have been higher because the Test matches he got were in the initial part of the series as well. Yes, the conditions at The Oval were very, very conducive to the bowlers, but the way he played in that first innings would mean that the bulk of the points which came his way was for that particular effort," Bangar said as quoted.
He further highlighted how a strong showing at Lord’s could have changed the narrative. India were chasing 193 in the third Test at Lord’s when Nair fell for 14 off 33 balls. He misjudged a straight delivery and offered no shot. He was adjudged LBW and the visitors eventually lost by 22 runs
"However, once you are on a comeback trail, I think what the team management is looking for is impactful performances. I think he could have really sealed his place for maybe a season or two had he probably won the match at Lord's, or made a telling contribution," Bangar added.
Parthiv Patel’s Take on Karun Nair’s Future
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel also shared his thoughts on Nair’s position in the Test side for the upcoming home season, starting with the series against the West Indies.
While speaking on a separate Follow the Blues show, Patel admitted that the Karnataka batter showed improvement at The Oval but agreed that he did not capitalise on the opportunities.
"Unfortunately, you cannot say that with surety now, considering the way his series went, although he scored a half-century in difficult conditions. He had asked for one chance. Luckily, he got two," Patel stated.
"In the first chance he got, he couldn't convert his starts. So he was dropped. Then he got an opportunity again in the fifth Test match. He scored a good half-century there for sure, but you cannot say that he has made the most of the opportunity he got," he continued.
Nair’s story remains a curious case of promise unfulfilled at the international level. His domestic numbers earned him a recall but the inability to deliver a defining knock leaves his future uncertain.
Also read: IND vs ENG: "Karun Nair wasted his opportunity": Ex-cricketer slams batter for form slump
