Karun Nair’s return to India’s Test squad after eight years has come under scrutiny due to his underwhelming form in the ongoing series against England. So far, the right-handed batter has scored just 131 runs in the three Tests, with India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series.
However, Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani, who closely works with Nair in domestic cricket, has come out in strong support of the 32-year-old. Ghani expressed belief in Nair’s mental toughness and backed him to bounce back strongly in the remaining two matches.
“Karun is mentally a very strong guy and that’s a fine trait to have. It’s not easy to make a comeback in the Test team after eight years, but he did it. He has that zeal and grit. It’s just a matter of one good innings for Karun. He is playing well and has got starts. In the first innings of the Lord’s Test, he made a brilliant 40. He needs to build on that to get a bigger score to boost his confidence,” Ghani told Mid-Day.
“Karun Was in Two Minds,” Says Ghani
Addressing Nair’s dismissal in the Lord’s Test, where he was trapped LBW by Brydon Carse, Ghani explained that the batter was caught in two minds and was up against top-quality bowling.
“Karun has unfortunately got out to a few very good deliveries [on the England tour]. He got a good ball in the last innings at Lord’s as well, where he left the ball [but was trapped LBW by pacer Brydon Carse]. It’s possible that he may have gone into a defensive mode. He probably was in two minds about whether to leave or play that one. But I believe whatever innings he has played, have been very sweet. I think he will be retained for the remaining two Tests,” he added.
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