The Indian cricket team faces a potential setback ahead of the first Test against England, with star batter Karun Nair reportedly struggling in the nets. The match is scheduled to begin on June 20, 2025, in Leeds.

Nair, who is making a comeback to the Test side after a long hiatus, has been under scrutiny during the practice sessions. According to reports, he appeared "under-confident" and faced difficulties against both pace and spin bowlers.

Specifically, Nair seemed to struggle against the pace and accuracy of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, two of India's leading fast bowlers. He was particularly troubled by deliveries bowled outside off stump, often responding with tentative defensive strokes. Furthermore, his struggles continued when he faced the spin of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, even being dismissed by Jadeja at one point. In an attempt to counter these challenges, Nair reportedly resorted to uncharacteristic shots like reverse sweeps, which hinted at his building frustration.

Adding to Nair's woes, he also suffered a blow to his ribs during a net session while facing Prasidh Krishna. A sharp bouncer struck him just below the left ribs, causing visible discomfort and requiring brief medical attention. Despite the physical blow, Nair continued to practice, shadow-practicing his strokes and working on his technique.

Following the difficult session, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had a discussion with Nair, after which the batter seemed to show some improvement. He began to focus on playing straighter and demonstrated better judgment in leaving deliveries, which gradually increased his confidence.

Nair's return to the Test squad comes after a stellar domestic season, where he scored heavily in both the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He further solidified his claim for a spot in the playing XI with a double century in an India A match. The potential inclusion of Nair in the starting XI stems from the recent retirements of key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, leaving a void in the batting order. Shubman Gill has been announced to bat at number 4, and Rishabh Pant at number 5, but the number 3 position remains open.

Despite the concerns raised by his performance in the nets, the team management will be hoping that Nair can overcome these challenges and find his rhythm before the first Test. With one more practice session scheduled, Nair will have an opportunity to regain his confidence and solidify his place in the team. However, his struggles have undoubtedly added a layer of uncertainty to India's preparations for the crucial series opener.