Karun Nair Scores Hundred Against England Lions, Makes Strong Statement For His Place In Playing 11

Canterbury: Karun Nair made a strong statement for his place in India's playing XI during the five-match Test series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. Karun Nair scored a stupendous century on the opening day of the ongoing first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury.

Asking to bat, India found themselves in trouble after both openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Eswaran (17-ball 8) returned to the dugout with only 51 runs on the board. Nair, who came out to bat at number 3, kept his nerves calm under pressure and gave himself a time to settle down before starting to play his shots.

Nair reached his fifty in a style, with a boundary, but took 85 balls to reach the landmark. Nair was watchful early on, but not letting go of any scoring opportunities, picking some fluent cover driven fours. He stitched good partnerships with Jaiswal first and then with Sarfaraz Khan, who failed to find his place in the Indian team that will take on Ben Stokes-led side. Sarfaraz, who went unsold in a mega auction, has reportedly lost over 10kgs weight to prepare for the England series, effectively using the 2 and half months on the sidelines of IPL 2025.

Karun and Sarfaraz mastered the England Lions bowlers with crafty unbeaten fifties to carry India A to a healthy 227 for two at tea. Karun (91) and Sarfaraz (92) added 176 runs for the unbroken third wicket alliance to stonewall the Lions bowlers in a wicketless second session. Sarfaraz departed on 92 off 119 balls after edging the ball that was going down the leg.

Karun, who was dropped on 89 off pacer Ajeet Singh Dale at first slip, displayed all his experience of playing in the County circuit for Northamptonshire while bringing up hundred off just 158 balls, making a bold statement for his place in the XI.

Karun Nair received a India Test call-up after a prolonged gap of 8 years courtesy of his exceptional performance in domestic competitions across all formats. With 863 runs from nine matches in the Ranji Trophy and another 779 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair not only caught the selectors' attention but broke the door down to finally make his 'Dear Cricket' wish come true.

The 33-year-old is only the second Indian to score a triple ton in Test cricket, that also came against England in 2016 at home. Overall, the right-hand batter has played six Tests and went on to score 374 runs overall at an average of 62. He played his last in 2017, and since then has been trying to make a comeback.