Anil Kumble sheds light on India’s playing XI for ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test, backs Karun Nair to retain his place

Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble has backed Karun Nair to retain his place in the fourth Test match against England. Nair hasn’t been able to deliver the goods in the first three Test matches of the series and his place is under scrutiny.

Nair returned with scores of 40 and 14 in the third Test match as he once again could not perform for the visitors. The 33-year-old has scored 131 runs in three Test matches against England in this series at an average of 21.83.

Anil Kumble said on Star Sports show Follow the Blues, “I don’t want to make too many changes because I think India have played a fantastic game. Yes, they lost by 22 runs. Unless injuries, we don’t know about Rishabh Pant.”

“He (Nair) certainly keeps his place. He did enough in the first innings. In the second innings, it was probably a brain fade, but he was batting well. That partnership was crucial,” he added.

Meanwhile, Karun Nair scored 40 runs in the first innings before Joe Root took a splendid catch at first slip. Thus, Nair once again could not convert his start into a substantial score.

“If he had gotten out early, then maybe Shubman Gill exposed slightly earlier with the new ball. We know that the first 20 or 25 overs were crucial. I think he will still keep his place. He was unfortunate that he got out. It was a brilliant catch by Joe Root. Probably give him one more opportunity,” he observed.

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja scored a gutsy knock of 61 runs off 181 balls and this was his fourth consecutive fifty of the series. Kumble highlighted that Jadeja has stepped up his batting after the first Test at Leeds.

“The first Test, when India lost, the contribution from the lower order was nothing in the two innings, and since then, Ravindra Jadeja has certainly stepped up with his batting. He certainly will feel confident, and the team management will also feel so much more confident that the lower order is now contributing,” he replied.

The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.