Karun Nair had 1 or 2 average Test matches and he was sidelined,” says former batting coach Sanjay Bangar

Former India batting coach Karun Nair feels that the Indian team management was a bit harsh on Karun Nair, who was dropped after just one or two bat Test matches.

The Karnataka batsman scored a triple century in his third Test at Chennai against England in 2016. He became India’s second triple-centurion after Virender Sehwag, and only the third man in the game’s history to convert a maiden Test ton into a triple.

Sanjay Bangar said that Karun Nair might have a chance to make it to the team in Test match cricket due to his ‘overall first-class numbers’.

Speaking to Cricket.com, Bangar said: “One player who is in queue for the middle order could be Karun Nair because of his Test match record and also his overall first-class numbers. Karun had one or two average Test matches, and he was sidelined.”

Bangar also heaped praise on the feisty Hanuma Vihari and said: “Vihari has been a good investment because of his fine contributions in the past. More recently, it was his solid effort in Sydney (2021) in drawing that Test. He is a very capable batsman.”

On India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, the former India batting coach said: “Ajinkya has always performed when India has won a Test abroad but even he would like to have himself a big series something which has eluded him so far in his career.”

“He has been a keen student, a very motivated player, besides a thinker of the game. And, I hope in future he can score heavily in an entire series and things can get better from there for him,” added Bangar.