The upcoming IND vs ENG 2025 Test series is set to be a defining moment for Indian cricket, especially with the retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The big question on everyone’s mind: Who will step up to fill the crucial No. 3 spot in the batting order? While there are several contenders, Karun Nair has put himself at the forefront with a sensational double century for India A against England Lions.
Here’s a comprehensive, authentic look at why Karun Nair must bat at number 3 for Team India in the England Test series.
The Vacancy at Number 3: Why It Matters
The position of number 3 in Test cricket is often considered the backbone of the batting lineup. This is where experience, technique, and mindset are needed to build a strong foundation or save the team after initial failures. With Virat Kohli retiring and Shubman Gill most probably shifting to No. 4 for balance, India requires someone consistent at the top—someone who can soak up pressure and establish the foundation for the inning.
Karun Nair’s Recent Form and Domestic Dominance
The return of Karun Nair to the national limelight is a story in itself.
A decade of grinding in domestic cricket for Nair has paid dividends. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he scored 863 runs in nine games with four centuries and two half-centuries. He scored one of these centuries in the final, enabling Vidarbha to triumph. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy alone, he amassed 779 runs in a mere eight innings, with five hundreds—a conclusive indication of his hunger and match fitness.
His recent double century for India A against England Lions was a statement knock. Scoring 204 from 281 balls, Nair showed patience, focus, and flexibility, particularly on a challenging pitch.
Experience and Technique: Key Ingredients for Number 3
Karun Nair brings a rare combination of experience and technical soundness. He’s already played six Tests for India, averaging 62.33, with a triple century against England—only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to achieve this feat. While his international career was interrupted, he has continued to hone his skills in domestic cricket and county cricket in England.
His method is ideally suited to No. 3. He plays late, has soft hands, and feels at ease against both pace and spin. Unlike some of the more traditional No. 3s, Nair can also change gear when necessary, particularly against spin, and thereby represents a handy asset under varied conditions.
The Importance of Overseas Exposure
Among the greatest challenges for Indian batters in England is getting used to seaming and swinging conditions. Karun Nair has played in England before, and he has represented Nottinghamshire in county cricket. This experience provides him with a better idea of English pitches and bowlers, a very important plus for any Indian batter coming in at No. 3.
In the recent India A match, Nair’s calm attitude and ability to build partnerships with Sarfaraz Khan under pressure showed his maturity. He stabilized the innings, allowing more aggressive batsmen to play around them, which is expected to do a number 3.
Team Balance and the Need for a Reliable Anchor
With India’s top order in transition, the team needs a steady presence at No. 3. Shubman Gill, who might move to No. 4, has struggled at times against the moving ball in England. Nair’s ability to grind the run, rotate the strike, and absorb pressure makes him an ideal candidate to quickly stabilize the innings.
His ability to form a partnership during a match against England Lions was seen when he and Sarfaraz Khan formed a third-wicket partnership of 181 runs. Nair’s knack of playing long innings and positive cricket is an asset that no side can do without if it is trying to rebuild its middle order.
Why Karun Nair Over Other Contenders?
Although Sai Sudharsan is a bright talent, Nair’s experience and current form provide him with the upper hand. Sudharsan is yet to get going with the red-ball unit, while Nair has established himself in domestic and international cricket. Abhimanyu Easwaran, another in the running, is more of a back-up opener than a No. 3 specialist.
Nair’s record of high scores, his capability to perform well under varying conditions, and his level-headed personality under duress put him in pole position for the No. 3 position in the IND vs ENG 2025 Test series.
