Shubman Gill Under Scrutiny: Karun Nair Snub & LBW Leave Backlash at Old Trafford
As India battles England in the 4th Test at Old Trafford, captain Shubman Gill has come under fire for two key decisions: leaving out Karun Nair in favor of Sai Sudharsan, and a puzzling LBW dismissal that drew harsh social media comparisons to former batter Karun Nair’s infamous “leave.” Let’s unpack both incidents, the responses, and what they mean for India’s campaign.
The controversial LBW leave
On Day 1, Gill was confidently playing on 70+ runs, but opted to leave a ball striking his pad—only for it to rattle and hit leg stump. The drama that followed was swift: an unsuccessful DRS review and an “lbw.”
Fans didn’t hold back—social media erupted with criticism, even labeling it “worse than Karun Nair’s leave from Lord’s.”
Karun Nair dropped: not backing his man?
In this same Test, Karun Nair—who had been recalled after strong performances—was dropped again in favor of Sai Sudharsan. Former cricketers like Mohammad Kaif publicly rebuked Gill for failing to support Nair, seeing it as a missed chance to reinforce batting stability.
What’s fueling the criticism?
1. Leadership under pressure
Dismissing Nair and then walking out to an LBW raise doubts about Gill’s judgment—both tactically and technically—especially in a penultimate Test with the series on the line.
2. Continuity vs experimentation
Karun Nair had earned his spot through domestic consistency. Sources emphasize that unstable selection can harm confidence. Nair’s omission—and Gill’s dismissal akin to his—served as ironic bookends to this debate.
The bigger test: Impact on India’s mindset
- Team morale: Removing a senior like Nair can fracture dressing-room belief in captaincy.
- Captain’s credibility: Tactical missteps (as with the leave) erode faith.
- Series implications: With England leading 2–1, replacement decisions have become magnified.
Gill’s previous stance on Nair
Earlier, Gill had defended not bringing Nair into ODI squads, citing the importance of continuity and not disrupting existing players’ confidence—even while praising Nair’s domestic form.
What’s next
- Old Trafford’s outcome: A win could balance perception; a loss might amplify doubts.
- Fourth Test verdict: Whether Gill retains Nair or Sudharsan backfires has long-term implications.
- Captain’s resilience: Key moments beckon—certitude and clarity could restore faith.
This is a crossroads for Shubman Gill. The Karun Nair snub and embarrassing LBW decision have ignited controversies that go beyond this Test—they question his leadership style and decision-making under pressure. If India turns things around in Manchester, Gill can regain momentum. But one more misstep, and this Test might become the pivot point in his debutership.
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