India vs England Test Series 2025: Sai Sudharsan vs Karun Nair – Who Will Bat at No.3?

With the much-awaited India vs England Test series of 2025 nearing, Team India finds itself at a historic juncture. Following legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s announcement of their retirement from international cricket earlier this year, the Indian Test team is gearing up for the start of the new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 with a young side, fresh leadership, and various unanswered questions over their new batting order.

One such debating point is the third spot, vacant ever since Cheteshwar Pujara left and now opened for competition with the retirement of Virat Kohli. While Karun Nair had been a serious contender based on his good red-ball record and form lately against the England Lions, the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh suddenly threw this name into the mix by suggesting that Sai Sudharsan was one better suited for the No.3 position.

Fresh Leadership, New Era

India vs. England Test Series 2025 will mark a renaissance for Indian cricket. Captaincy has been bestowed on Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as Vice-Captain, the team now seeks to establish itself early in the new WTC cycle. Gill is also set to bat at No.4, taking over from Kohli, which greatly affects the team dynamics.

This leaves an important seat for No.3, a traditional position occupied by technically gifted and dependable batters who could anchor the innings.

Karun Nair: Proven Red-Ball Pedigree

Karun Nair, probably best remembered for his triple-century against England in 2016, must be in some sort of resurrection; his performances in the India A vs England Lions series have made a good case for his selection, especially at that crucial No.3 slot. Nair possesses the temperament to build innings which fits the traditional description of a Test No.3 batter.

His technical prowess against both pace and spin is undoubtedly his biggest asset, considering he has a First-Class average of just below 49 and a ton against the England Lions in recent times.

Harbhajan’s Bold Call: Sai Sudharsan for No.3?

While Nair has his credentials, Harbhajan Singh feels Sai Sudharsan should bat at No.3 in the India vs England Test Series 2025. Harbhajan went to say that Sudharsan’s form and his being a left-hander would provide some variety to India’s top order. 

“I think Sai Sudharsan should play at No.3. He is a left-hander, is in top form, having just come off a very impressive IPL. His technique is very sound, and I believe he could be the answer there,” said Harbhajan.

With consistency and flair, Sai Sudharsan lifted the Orange Cap for IPL 2025. Though relatively untested at the international level in red-ball cricket, his ability to hold the technique along with his temperament makes his case strong.

Squad Overview: A Mix of Youth and Experience

The 18-member squad for the India vs England Test Series 2025 is as below:

• Shubman Gill (C)
• Rishabh Pant (VC & WK)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• KL Rahul
• Sai Sudharsan
• Abhimanyu Easwaran
• Karun Nair
• Nitish Reddy
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Dhruv Jurel (WK)
• Washington Sundar
• Shardul Thakur
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Siraj
• Prasidh Krishna
• Akash Deep
• Arshdeep Singh
• Kuldeep Yadav

It indicates a transition phase with a number of young batters – Easwaran, Nair, and Sudharsan – vying for the top-order slots, backed by plenty of bowling firepower.

Tactical Implications for the Series

Meaningless pop science, repeated polling the squad to a degree of infiltration, and wife-training. The squad definitely indicates a transitional phase wherein young batsmen- Easwaran, Nair, Sudharsan- vie for spots closer to the top order with plenty of bowling firepower in their support.

Selection between Sudharsan and Nair may almost depend on conditions and match-ups; England’s right-arm-heavy pace attack could find it a little tougher working against a left-hander like Sudharsan. Besides, if we are to believe cricket pundits and former players, Sudharsan’s form and attacking instincts would also dovetail with the new and aggressive approach that India might now look to adopt under Gill’s captaincy.

Why This Debate Matters

On the converse, though, patience is key in Test cricket, and Karun Nair would seem the safer option initially, as his style involves grinding the opposition down over long innings. The India-England Test series in 2025 may evolve into a horses-for-courses policy, with both players going by a merit system as per venue and conditions.

No. 3 is the heart of any Test team. A solid No. 3 can weather the early new ball if an opener is lost early, or balance the innings if the openers have given a solid start. Often, odds are swung, and the evolution of innings is determined by this specific market in cricket match predictions.

Looking Ahead

This decision in the India vs.England Test series 2025 might also determine India’s approach for the WTC cycle. Are they looking for consolidation through Nair, or bravado through Sudharsan?

India has five Tests lined up from July 2025; they will have to put their playing XI together soon. The squad announcement for the first Test and its playing XI will be an indicator of the long-term vision that India has.

As the cricketing continent deliberates, and fans, experts, and selectors go on with their discussions, the keyword will soon become “India vs. England Test Series 2025,” as the cricketing world awaits to see who will win this all-important No.3 battle.
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FAQs

Q1. When does the India vs. England Test series 2025 start?

The India vs. England Test series 2025 will likely start in July 2025, with five Test matches as part of the WTC 2025–27 cycle.

Q2. Who has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian Test team?

Shubman Gill is the new captain of the Indian Test team, as the two main players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have stopped playing.

Q3. Which players are the top contenders for the No.3 position in the Indian batting order?

At present, the two most prominent contenders for that place in the batting department of India are Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan.

Q4. Why is Sai Sudharsan being considered as a possible Test player?

Due to winning the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, Sai Sudharsan is being considered along with being a left-handed option against the English pacers. 

Q5. How significant is the No.3 position in cricket match predictions?
The No.3 position plays a leading role in Test cricket. In cricket match predictions, it is this position whose player determines the flow and stability of the innings.