India vs England 2025: Aakash Chopra Breaks Down the Importance of No. 3 in Tests

Former Indian cricketer turned YouTuber Aakash Chopra has once again emphasized the importance of the No. 3 position in Test cricket, ahead of the 4th Test in Manchester. Chopra has been vocal about this issue throughout the series, initially backing Sai Sudharsan as India’s ideal No. 3. He later supported Karun Nair when given the opportunity in the role, but has now suggested a change for the upcoming Test.

Chopra: Dravid-Tendulkar, Pujara-Kohli Prove Why No. 3 Is Vital

Chopra highlighted how India’s historic success at No. 4 with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli was closely tied to strong partnerships with consistent No. 3s like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.

“No. 3 is important. It’s critical. Let me tell you a beautiful stat. In Sachin Tendulkar’s golden era in Tests, when he scored a lot of runs, it was coincidentally also Rahul Dravid’s best time in Test cricket. There were massive partnerships between Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, and both flourished,” Chopra said

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Chopra Questions India’s No. 3 Choices, Opposes Sundar Promotion

He drew a similar parallel between Pujara and Kohli

“It was identical with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. The best of Virat came with the best of Pujara. When the No. 3 does well, the No. 4 automatically starts doing well — provided there is a lot of quality there, as Tendulkar and Virat had. So No. 3 has been a problem area.” as quoted by SportsKeeda

So far in the series, India has tried two options at No. 3. Sai Sudharsan featured in the first Test and was then replaced by Karun Nair in the last two. Both players haven't crossed the 50-run mark at least once during the series, as the questions about consistency remain.

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Aakash Chopra Backs Karun Nair

In a segment on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked to pick India’s next No. 3 from Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, and surprisingly, Washington Sundar. Chopra strongly opposed the idea of using Sundar in that position.

“I won’t vote in Washi’s favor at the moment because you’re playing in England, and the next match is in Manchester, where the ball moves. Washi is a good batter, but is he our best No. 3 option? No. 3 is not an experimental position. It’s not where you want to send an all-rounder.”

Chopra then gave his verdict on the immediate future of India’s No. 3:

“I would say look at Karun Nair — this is his last chance. It’s good if he does well in this match. Otherwise, you can say thirties and forties are not good enough, and then move to either Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran. Sometimes, you feel like going back to Sai just because you played him in the first match.” Chopra concluded

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