Indian batsman Karun Nair has revived the hopes of a Test return with a stunning double century for India A during the current unofficial Test against England Lions at Canterbury. Nair’s diligent but dominant innings has arrived at the right moment, before India’s five-match Test series against England from June 20, 2025.
Karun Nair’s Double Century: A Career-Defining Knock in Canterbury
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The 33-year-old came to the crease under pressure but responded with pure class. At the end of Day 1, Karun Nair was unbeaten on 186 runs. On Day 2, he continued his composed innings, focusing on singles and solid defense to frustrate England Lions’ pace attack.
He completed his double century at the last ball of the 101st over. Against Eddie Jack, Nair made use of a wayward delivery and cut it to the boundary to score his 204 off 281 balls. It was an emotional moment as he kissed his helmet and accepted the cheers of the crowd.
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yashasvi Jaiswal
|
c †Rew b Jack | 24 | 55 | 75 | 3 | 1 | 43.63 | ||
|
Abhimanyu Easwaran (c)
|
lbw b Hull | 8 | 17 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 47.05 | ||
|
Karun Nair
|
c †Rew b Zaman Akhter | 204 | 281 | 435 | 26 | 1 | 72.59 | ||
|
Sarfaraz Khan
|
c †Rew b Hull | 92 | 119 | 172 | 13 | 0 | 77.31 | ||
|
Dhruv Jurel †
|
c McKinney b Dale | 94 | 120 | 156 | 11 | 1 | 78.33 | ||
|
Nitish Kumar Reddy
|
c †Rew b Jack | 7 | 22 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 31.81 | ||
|
Shardul Thakur
|
c Mousley b Zaman Akhter | 27 | 32 | 45 | 4 | 0 | 84.37 | ||
|
Harsh Dubey
|
c †Rew b Hull | 32 | 47 | 47 | 4 | 0 | 68.08 | ||
|
Anshul Kamboj
|
lbw b Rehan Ahmed | 23 | 37 | 50 | 2 | 1 | 62.16 | ||
|
Harshit Rana
|
c Hull b Zaman Akhter | 16 | 20 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 80.00 | ||
|
Mukesh Kumar
|
not out | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
| Extras | (b 8, lb 19, nb 2, w 1) | 30 | |||||||
| Total |
125.1 Ov (RR: 4.45)
|
557 | |||||||
Karun Nair’s Journey Back to Form
Having been kept out of India’s first team and having had bad IPL seasons, Karun Nair’s double century is a good comeback message. In a sentimental social media message in December 2022, Nair had posted: “Dear cricket, give me one more chance.” With this effort, he has maximized that opportunity.
His return to form could not be better timed, with India poised to look towards a new generation of Test cricket players after the eventual departure of stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin.
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India A Batting Summary: Support Around Karun Nair
Though Karun Nair’s double hundred was the standout performance, there were other impressive turns of pace, such as Dhruv Jurel started well but was just short of a century, caught out for 94 off 120 balls by Ajeet Singh Dale.
Nitish Kumar Reddy had intentions but could manage just a short 22-ball stint before falling into the grasp of captain James Rew. Shardul Thakur had a short but fiery innings, making 18 runs off 13 deliveries, off some good boundaries, before he fell to Zaman Akhter.
A Reminder of Karun Nair’s Test Credentials at the Right Time
With a triple century under his belt in Test cricket, Karun Nair has always been a prospect to watch out for. But inconsistency and the absence of opportunities had kept him at bay from the international arena. This double century against England Lions not only reiterates his talent but puts him squarely back into the fray for India’s middle-order selection for the upcoming Test series.
Karun Nair’s Double Century Revives India Test Hopes
The Karun Nair double century is not just a personal achievement, it is a statement to selectors, fans, and critics. His gritty hundred in English conditions underlines experience, temperament, and hunger qualities India will require in the difficult England Test series.
While the countdown to the five-Test series has started, everyone will be watching how Karun Nair’s name appears in India’s playing XI. At least for now, he has done everything right to regain that spot.
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