[WATCH] Former India star dissects Karun Nair's fifty during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

Many questioned Karun Nair’s position in the Indian side when Shubman Gill announced the playing eleven and put the Karnataka batter at number five. He was dropped after the first three games for India, where he managed 131 runs in six innings, including 111 runs in four innings at number three. 

Nair walked out at a critical position when the tourists lost captain Shubman Gill via a terrible accidental run-out where he slipped in the middle of the surface before the bowler broke the stumps. Nair remained unbeaten on 51 runs at the end of the day, as former left-arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha, highlights Karun Nair using the opportunity.

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‘When Karun Nair came out to bat, I was telling that how to keep an eye on this opportunity. There are two ways of looking at it. One is of half-glass full and the half-glass empty. It depends on how you see it, and your body reacts according to it. Your thought process goes around that. I thought he prepared well and didn’t let the added pressure get to him.’ Ojha expressed on Star Sports.

Watch: Pragyan Ojha highlights Karun Nair’s fifty during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

He spent time, and the way he celebrated the half-century will give him confidence in reaching the three-figure mark. Washington Sundar is there, and both have the ability. The job is only half done. If you want to make it a nightmare for England, you have to bat for one or two sessions.’ The former Bengal spinner added.

Solid start, cool head. 🙌#PragyanOjha applauds #KarunNair's ability to spend time at the crease and build a foundation under pressure! 💯

Will he carry this momentum into Day 2 and push #TeamIndia's score forward? 👀#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST, DAY 2 | FRI, 1st AUG, 2:30 PM |… pic.twitter.com/N3a6VvPv4y

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 1, 2025

Nair, who was dropped from the longest format after his 300-run knock in 2016 against England in Chennai, made his first fifty from the landmark. He will aim for a century on the second day.

‘Now you have got the foundation. Once you work on it, that will give you pleasure. You don’t know if one of their bowlers will come back in the form of Chris Woakes. Josh Tongue looked clueless. So, England will start various discussions on their plans. Test matches are being played like that; more than physicality, it’s about mentality.’ Ojha explained at the end of the opening day on Star Sports.