Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Nair now - A look at India's musical chairs at No 3 in Tests since 2022
Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Nair now - A look at India's musical chairs at No 3 in Tests since 2022
Karun Nair had his position changed from No 6 to 3 after just one Test as India made wholesale changes to their line-up for the second game against England in Birmingham. The musical chairs at this position has been prevalent since Cheteshwar Pujara's departure. Take a look-
Karun Nair wasn't one of the three casualties for India in the second Test in Birmingham against England. However, his batting position did change from No. 6 to No. 3. Nair was the eighth batter playing at No. 3 for India in Tests in the last three years, ninth if night-watchman R Ashwin (one innings) is counted. Nair did well but could score only 31. Here's a look at the list-
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Sai Sudharsan made his debut in Leeds but returned scores of 0 and 30 in the two innings. Sudharsan did look solid in the second innings and being a youngster, probably deserved more opportunities at the start of his career.
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Shubman Gill, the now Indian captain, played the most number of innings at No 3 during this period after Cheteshwar Pujara was phased down at the end of the previous WTC cycle. Gill featured in 16 matches for India since 2022 at No 3.
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Cheteshwar Pujara, India's long-term No 3 batter in the late 2010s and early 2020s, was no longer the first-choice in the Test team after an elongated period of poor form in Tests. Pujara played six Tests at No 3 since July 2022.
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Virat Kohli, the designated No 4 for India in Tests before he retired from the format, also played a game at No 3 - against New Zealand in Bengaluru when Shubman Gill missed the game due to an injury.
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Devdutt Padikkal also played just one match at No 3 for India in Tests during this period - against Australia in Perth last year.
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Hanuma Vihari, the forgotten Test batter, played only one match in this period and it actually ended up being his final game he wore whites for India - against England in Birmingham in the rescheduled fifth Test in July 2022.
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As Rohit Sharma opened the innings and India dropped Shubman Gill for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG against Australia last year, KL Rahul was slotted in at No 3.
