No.4 is not just another batting position in Indian cricket. It has unofficially been reserved for the team’s best batter for nearly three decades.
And as astonishing as it may sound, during this long period, India have had only two confirmed No.4 batters – Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Before Tendulkar, India had long-term No.4s in GR Viswanath and Dilip Vengsarkar. When Tendulkar retired in 2013, the place automatically went to Kohli, who had the weight of 15921 runs and 51 centuries to carry. With 9230 runs and 30 centuries, one would have to admit, Kohli didn’t fare badly. But now that he has retired, who is next for India to carry the legacy of No.4 forward? Legendary India cricketer Anil Kumble believes it can be Karun Nair.
Karun Nair may not come close to Tendulkar and Kohli’s Test numbers as at 33, he simply doesn’t have that time at his disposal but with the kind of form he has shown in the last domestic season, he surely can do a good job for the next two World Test Championships (WTC) cycles. Karun Nair’s experience in red-ball cricket and his exposure in county cricket would come in handy now that India would not have Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in their XI for the Test series against England that starts on June 20.
Kumble on India’s no.4 dilemma:
“I don’t think anybody thought through who’s gonna bat at No.4. Rohit in Australia didn’t play the first Test, so there was a change in the batting order. Once Rahul did well, Rohit dropped down the order and then he dropped himself from the XI in that last Test. So you sort of know who is the backup opener for India, but I don’t think anyone thought through No.4,” Kumble told ESPNCricinfo.
“Karun deserves to come back into the Indian team with the kind of domestic run he has had. So perhaps he could be the No.4 for India because I feel, you need a bit of experience. You ned someone in England who has been there and done that. He has played County cricket, so he knows the conditions. Karun may be on the other side of 30, but he is still young. If he gets an opportunity, there will be a lot more hope for youngsters to play first-class cricket. If the sheer performance in domestic cricket doesn’t get recognised, it becomes a bit of a challenge,” the former India captain and head coach added.
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