India has faced tremendous problems in the batting department, from repeated collapses down the lower order to a humiliating loss while chasing the modest target of 193.

However, despite several problems for India, one problem that has been critical as well as constant is their batter at No. 3. Indian batter Shubman Gill, who previously used to come at No. 3, has now been given the No. 4 position after the retirement of Indian veteran Virat Kohli.

Currently, there have been many players who are looking to seal the no. 3 spot for the Indian team. The likes of Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Karun Nair have all fought dearly for the number 3 spot in the Indian team.

Sanjay Manjrekar wants Sai Sudharsan in the playing 11

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, recently in an interaction on ESPNCricinfo, revealed his best choice for the no. 3 batsmen in the Indian Test team. Though, as of now, the Indian management has given the opportunity to Karun Nair, Manjrekar picks Sai Sudharsan as his constant choice at no. 3.

Sai Sudharsan, the promising young left-handed batter, was given a crucial role at No. 3 in the first Test at Leeds after he had a dream season in the Indian Premier League, where he ended as the highest scorer in the competition.

Sudharsan was not picked from the second test, as Karun Nair was moved up the order after he played the first test at no. 6. Manjrekar said he showed some form in the first Test when he scored a 30 in the second innings.

With flat pitches and a promising Indian batter on the side, Manjrekar thinks he should be backed, and more matches should be given.

Sanjay Manjrekar would like to see India give Sai Sudharsan another go for the Manchester Test. Thoughts? #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/V3Ewf9kuLy

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 20, 2025

Karun Nair to be backed by the Indian management

In the video where Sanjay Manjrekar mentioned his preference for Sai Sudharsan to be named for the playing 11, he also mentioned that the team India management, including the coach and the captain, would back Karun Nair to prove that they have bet on the right horse.

Karun Nair has been a major disappointment since his return to international cricket, the reason being his excessively weak performance. He was brought in after an array of strong domestic seasons; however, on the international front, he has been miserable.

With only 100+ runs in the last 6 innings in England, Nair can easily be said to be the weakest link of the Indian batting lineup, though the batter at times has looked solid while playing his shots like the cover drive or the straight drive on the up.

“Sai Sudharsan was always my number three, you know, after the first Test match there was some problems shown with 30 runs. When you have flat pitches and one of England’s weakest bowling attacks, you want to play your young players. So Karun Nair at number three I didn’t agree with,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.

“Maybe the team management might just want to prove a point saying that we were backing the right horse and give him one more match, something that happens with captains and team management. But I would like to see Sai Sudharsan at number three.”

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Gautam Gambhir’s Test coaching role in trouble

Amid Gautam Gambhir’s poor stint continuing in red-ball cricket, since India has lost one home series against New Zealand and one away series against Australia under Gambhir’s reign as the red-ball coach, the danger of sacking looms over the veteran’s head.

Currently, with India trailing 2-1 in the series against England, one of Gambhir’s former teammates, Harbhajan Singh, has suggested that the BCCI split the coaching duties, with Gambhir taking over as India’s white-ball coach. A new recruit should be made who can take over the role of the red-ball team.

If Gambhir loses the series in England due to his exclusive antics, then this can cost him his position as India’s Test coach.