So far in the series, Karun Nair has scored 183 runs across four Tests and seven innings, maintaining an average of 30.50 with a highest score of 52 not out. After a rain-affected opening day of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate praised Nair’s gritty unbeaten half-century.
He highlighted how Karun Nair has managed the pressure of returning to the Test side after a long absence, putting himself in a strong position to play a big and impactful innings for the team. Nair’s determined knock, coming after several promising but unfinished starts in earlier matches, was a standout moment on day one at The Oval.
His efforts helped India surpass the 200-run mark and build a crucial half-century partnership with Washington Sundar, which will continue on day two. This series also marks Nair’s comeback to international cricket after eight years.
Doeschate Praises Karun Nair’s Adaptability and Composure Amid Changing Batting Positions
Speaking about Karun Nair’s shifting batting positions throughout the tour—from number six in the first Test, to number three in the second and third, and now number five at The Oval—assistant coach Doeschate commented in the post-day press conference, “He started off at six in the first Test and then batted at three for the other two. His tempo and rhythm were very good. He is a quality player, especially because he can absorb pressure. Coming back after a long absence, the pressure is always there, but he has handled it very well.”
Karun Nair has scored 183 runs in seven innings across four Tests, averaging 30.50 with a highest score of 52* at The Oval. While he showed fluency in several innings, he has struggled to convert starts into big scores. Doeschate acknowledged this, saying, “When you represent a country like India, the pressure is immense. Hats off to Karun—he’s had a good tour and now has a chance tomorrow to get a big, meaningful score for the team.”
The coach praised Karun Nair versatility in batting anywhere in the order, noting, “I thought six was a big ask; it’s very different to five, four, or three. But today’s conditions suited him nicely. He never complains and always puts the team first. He just focuses on doing the job for the team and wants to play as much Test cricket as he can.”
In the match, England won the toss and chose to field. India struggled to build big partnerships, losing early wickets including openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) and KL Rahul (14), and skipper Shubman Gill who was run out for 21. Despite setbacks, Nair (52) and Sundar (19) put together a crucial 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket, helping India surpass 200 runs. England’s Gus Atkinson (2/31) and Josh Tongue (2/47) were the pick of the bowlers.