India, Aug. 1 -- A little over a week ago, Karun Nair might have wondered if he had blown his second shot at Test cricket. Brought back after eight heartbreaking, frustrating, doubt-ridden years, he had scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14 in the first three Tests in England - a horror return, then a bouquet of false starts.

Karun batted at No. 6 in the first Test, and replaced Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 in the next two. Not necessarily his preferred positions, each coming with uniquely different challenges, but when you have been thrown a lifeline, how could you pick and choose?

He didn't have too much cause to moan the axe at Old Trafford because while he hadn't done a whole lot wrong, he hadn't helped his cause either. Karun might have rec...