WV Raman believes that the ongoing Karun Nair vs Sai Sudharsan “dilemma” has resulted in an in-form player being unfairly overlooked.
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WV Raman Backs Abhimanyu Easwaran Over Sudharsan for India’s No. 3 Slot
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed on Wednesday that Shubman Gill will take over the No. 4 position vacated by Virat Kohli, while Pant himself will retain the No. 5 spot. That leaves a key vacancy at No. 3 heading into the opening Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, starting June 20. The debate has largely centered around the in-form Karun Nair and uncapped left-hander B Sai Sudharsan—both seen as frontrunners for the role.
However, former India women’s head coach WV Raman has voiced a different opinion, questioning why consistent domestic performer Abhimanyu Easwaran is being overlooked. Speaking to the Times of India, Raman noted that while Easwaran was part of India’s squad during the Australia series last year, he didn’t feature in any game. The right-hander recently reinforced his case with consecutive half-centuries in India A matches leading into the England tour.
Addressing the growing attention around Sudharsan—whose County stint in 2024 included a ton—Raman urged team management to not forget Easwaran’s long-standing consistency as an opener. “If there’s a vacant slot at the top, and you have someone who’s opened all his life and scored runs season after season, why not play him?” he asked. Raman added that overlooking such players creates unnecessary confusion in future selections and emphasized rewarding those who have proven themselves over time.
‘KL Rahul continues to slip under the radar’
Former India cricketer WV Raman has questioned the growing discussion around Karun Nair’s return, suggesting that India should instead focus on addressing KL Rahul’s inconsistency before considering other options for the No. 3 spot. While acknowledging Nair’s impressive domestic resurgence—highlighted by a double century for India A and impactful IPL performances—Raman emphasized the need to assess Rahul’s position in the side more critically.
“Karun Nair has found his second wind and earned a recall, but someone who continues to fly under the radar is KL Rahul,” Raman told the Times of India. He noted that Rahul often starts Test series well but struggles to maintain form, citing his previous England tour as a prime example.
Raman stressed that Rahul’s experience and talent are undeniable, but the time has come for him to deliver consistent results. “Play him in the first three Tests, and if he performs, you persist with him. But he must be told that consistency is now non-negotiable,” Raman added. He concluded that with Indian cricket in a transitional phase, there’s no room for prolonged underperformance, and clear communication with players like Rahul is essential to managing expectations and planning for the future.
