Back in 1996, during a tour of England, Sanjay Manjrekar was India’s main No.3 batsman. But he twisted his ankle in the first Test. Then, in the second game at Lord’s, Rahul Dravid stepped in and made a great Test debut with Sourav Ganguly. That year, Manjrekar, who was 31, played his last Test. Dravid, only 23, took over as the No.3 batsman and went on to play 91 Tests without a break. Now, in 2025, India faces a similar moment. For the big Test in Manchester, the team is thinking about a change at the No.3 spot in the India Test team No.3 batsman position. They are deciding between Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan.
This choice could change things for a long time. Karun Nair is 33, while Sai Sudharsan is 23, just like Dravid was in 1996. Dropping an older player for a younger one often means the team is planning for the future. So, this decision is a big one for Indian cricket.
Karun Nair has had a tough journey. He once scored a triple century in a Test match, which is a huge deal. But soon after, he was left out of the team. For years, people said he was treated unfairly. Before this England tour, Nair shone in domestic cricket. Playing for Vidarbha, he scored 1,553 runs in one season and 883 in another. Everyone said he earned his chance to return to the India Test team No.3 batsman role.
But things have not gone well in this series against England. Nair has played three Tests and scored 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14. He hasn’t made a single half-century in six innings. Because of this, some think it’s time to give someone else a try.
Captain Shubman Gill doing Fun with Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharshan in the practice session ahead of the 4th test match ❤️. pic.twitter.com/eIE8iLBsgH
— Jay Cricket. (@Jay_Cricket12) July 18, 2025
Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan is making a name for himself. He got one Test in this series, the first game at Leeds, and scored 0 and 30. He was dropped after that because of team changes, not because he did badly. Still, Sai has shown he can handle tough situations. In early 2024, he played for India A against England Lions. Even with a broken finger, he scored a century and 97 in two games. Those strong knocks impressed the selectors.
Ajit Agarkar, the selection committee chairman, said, “He did well against England Lions. He has shown the right way and seems ready for the top level.” Sai works very hard too. Coaches say he trains more than anyone, even on optional days. Sachin Tendulkar likes how Sai bats, saying his hands stay close to his body, which is good for Test cricket.
Choosing between Nair and Sai is not just about their scores right now. It’s about who can hold the India Test team No.3 batsman spot for years. Nair has more experience, but his recent form is poor. Sai is younger and has shown he could be great in the future.
The team must decide carefully. Dropping Nair might feel wrong after his big domestic runs and long wait for a comeback. However, keeping him in the team when he’s not scoring could slow the team down. On the other hand, Sai’s hard work and skill make him a strong option.
As India prepares for the Manchester Test, this decision is on everyone’s mind. Will they stick with Karun Nair, or will Sai Sudharsan get his chance? Either way, the India Test team No.3 batsman choice will matter a lot. It could be like 1996, when Dravid took over and became a star. Only time will show how this story ends.
