Karun Nair Needs One More Chance: Anil Kumble | ENG vs IND 2

Published May 29, 2026 · Updated August 03, 2026

Anil Kumble backs Karun Nair for an England-India 2025 comeback. Discover why the veteran spinner believes Nair deserves another shot. Read more!

Karun Nair has played all three of India Tests against England far as the ongoing five match series is concerned. Indian cricketer Anil Jumble also felt Karun Nair deserved to be retained in the Indian XI for the fourth Test of five match series against England. Karun also scored 131 runs across the six innings in the series in the first three matches.

Kumble said Karun 40 run knock in India's first innings at Lord’s warranted the spot in the squad for the fourth game at Old Trafford. The legendary cricketer was also advised to the Indian team to go into the upcoming game with making lot of changes in the playing combination and as a result, Karun Nair was also given another go with the bat.

Kumble said he does not want to make too many changes because he thinks India have been played a fantastic game. They have also lost by 22 runs. Unless the injuries he do not know about the Rishabh Pant, he will certainly keep the place. He did not get much in the first innings. In the second innings, it will also probably brain fade, but he was batting well. The partnership was crucial.

He also added that if he had got out early, then maybe Shubman Gill would have been exposed slightly with the new ball. We all know that the first 20 or 25 overs were crucial. He thinks he will still keep the place. He well unfortunate that he got out. He will brilliantly caught by Joe Root. Give him one more opportunity.

Read Also: ENG vs IND 2025: India could have chased 193 at Lord-Sourav Ganguly

He steeped up his batting-Kumble

Kumble also felt Ravindra Jadeja heroics with the bat in the third Test was also something which could provide the a lot of self belif in him as well as the management. The cricketer turned expert also commented on the star all rounder unique ability where he able to bat and operate alongside different batting partners in Test Cricket.

He also noted that the first test, where India lost the contribution from the lower order was nothing in the two innings, and since Ravindra Jadeja was certainlystepped up with the batting. He certainly will be confident and the team management will also feel so much more confident that [lower order is now contributing](/blog/notes-india-can-take-from-pakistans-whitewash-against-england).