Alright, let’s talk about the whole “life after Kohli” drama in Indian Test cricket. Virat peaced out, right? So now everyone’s scratching their heads wondering who’s gonna take over that iconic number four spot. No pressure, huh? Honestly, if you’re looking around at the options, Karun Nair’s name keeps popping up—and not for nothing. Dude’s been grinding away in domestic cricket, quietly stacking up runs while everyone else is busy hyping up bigger names. I mean, the guy has serious experience, and his stats don’t lie. He’s basically been the backbone for Vidarbha recently, churning out runs in situations where most would’ve just crumbled and called it a day. People keep forgetting how ridiculous Kohli’s numbers were. We’re talking over 7,500 runs, smashing centuries like it’s a hobby. Do you realize how mental those stats are? That’s not just a gap in the lineup… that's the Grand Canyon. Excellent form in the domestic circuit: But hey, Karun's not exactly a rookie. He knows the grind—the pressure, spotlight, trash talk from the slips, all of it. He doesn’t just show up; he actually delivers when it matters most. The cricket nerds out there will tell you about his temperament, the way he digs in when things get dicey. And let’s be real, consistency in run-scoring isn’t exactly something you find at the bottom of a cereal box. Karun’s got it. Three reasons he should be the next number four? For starters, look at the dude’s recent domestic form. There’s no hiding. He’s been straight-up wrecking bowlers all season, in every format, under all sorts of crazy conditions. When his team was up the creek without a paddle, he didn’t just bring the paddle—he sailed the friggin’ boat. So, yeah, I’d bet on Karun Nair. Maybe not the most obvious pick, but sometimes, it’s the guy flying under the radar who ends up stealing the show. Perfect game for a number four: Karun Nair’s been straight-up lighting up the domestic scene lately. Dude went off in the Vijay Hazare and smashed it in the Syed Mushtaq Ali too, which is basically what got him back on the IPL map. And then, just to flex a little harder, he drilled a huge century in the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala. That one pretty much snatched Vidarbha the championship. Talk about showing up when it counts. He wrapped up the season with 863 runs from just 16 knocks, averaging basically 54, and bagged four hundreds along the way. Wild numbers. You just know the selectors are peeping at his stats, especially with those England Tests looming. If you’re gonna gamble, betting on someone this hot is smart. India’s in that awkward in-between where the old guard’s fading and they need fresh spark—but also stability. That’s where Karun fits perfectly into the middle order. He’s done all the hard yards; way back in 2016, he debuted under Kohli, remember? Guy’s technique is tailor-made for number four, doesn’t crumble under pressure, and keeps a cool head when things get dicey. Experience of playing in county cricket in England: The best part? He doesn’t just hang around—he takes charge, finds those little gaps, and keeps bowlers guessing. Whether it’s spin or pace, he rarely looks uncomfortable. Sure, he hasn’t been living at number four lately, but the way he adapts, you’d barely notice. If you ask me, bringing Karun back right now is a no-brainer. Finally, Karun has proven himself in English conditions. He was a county player for Northamptonshire and maintained an impressive record during his stay. In 2024, Karun amassed 487 runs from seven matches, which included that majestic double century against Glamorgan. His first season in 2023 saw him scoring an unbeaten 78 and a classy 150 against Surrey. His run of good form continued in 2024 even though Northamptonshire was relegated to Division 2. His knowledge of English wickets and confidence abroad can come in handy for India in the forthcoming tour.