India’s Selection Dilemma Over No. 3 Spot in England Tests

• India’s No. 3 spot is a significant concern for India, with a lack of big scores from domestic stalwart Karun Nair.

• Farokh Engineer suggests bringing back rookie Sai Sudharsan, who has spent the most time at the nets since being benched after the opening Test in Leeds.

• Sudharsan, a left-hander, could be a useful option as he has spent the maximum number of times at the nets since being benched after the opening Test in Leeds.

• Karun has had decent starts at No. 3 and has an average of 21.83, but his false-short per cent is 20.9, the fourth-lowest for any top-order batter in this series.

• His dot ball percentage has been 73.8, the third-highest among all top-four batters in this series.

• India’s batting has looked solid, but No. 3 remains a big worry.

• Since 2020, India has tried 11 different players in that slot, with the Saurashtra batter amassing 6529 runs at an average of 44.41 from 155 innings at No. 3.

• India’s struggles with the one-down position are not isolated, with nearly all Test-playing nations searching for a long-term occupant at No. 3.