India captain Shubman Gill was clear about including Karun Nair in the playing XI. He clearly mentioned Nairs return in place of Shardul Thakur reflecting the team managements commitment to their eight-batter strategy. Throughout the five-Test series India has consistently preferred having a batting option at No. 8. With Rishabh Pant injured and Nitish Kumar Reddy unavailable turning to Karun Nair was the obvious choice. Nair’s second chance didn’t go as planned. In the six chances he got he struggled to deliver failing to register even a single half-century despite getting set at the crease on most occasions. He was eventually dropped from India’s playing XI at Old Trafford but Nair proved once again that it’s never over until it’s over. Karun Nairs unbeaten knock keeps India in the hunt to level the series. Karun Nair’s unbeaten knock has kept India’s hopes alive for a series-levelling win. At stumps on Day 1 of the fifth Test Nair was on 52 his first 50-plus score in Test cricket since his record-breaking triple century in Chennai against the same opposition in 2016. Nair’s determined knock came at a crucial time for India and on one of the toughest pitches. The green-top surface at The Oval offered the visitors their first real taste of English conditions. Overcast skies damp weather and a seaming ball made batting extremely challenging throughout the day. But Karun stood firm—having batted at No. 3 and No. 6 earlier in the series it was the No. 5 spot that finally brought him some luck. Coming in to bat after skipper Gill was run out Karun Nair smashed seven fours in his unbeaten 52 off 98 balls helping India reach 204 for six at stumps. Dinesh Karthik hails Nairs calm and composed knock Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik said that given the way Karun Nair batted in challenging conditions on Thursday it’s clear his career is far from over. Well played Karun Nair. Thats a high-quality fifty in real tough conditions. Karun Nairs career is well and truly back. If he hadnt played this Test then the team management could well have looked beyond him Karthik said on commentary. Former India pacer Varun Aron also showered praise on Karun Nair unbeated knock and said This could have been his last chance but he has capitalised. The pitch was doing a lot but Karun Nair is standing tall. What stood out was Karun Nairs purposeful attempt to have soft hands to deliveries outside off stump Aaron said on JioHostar after the days play.