Karun Nair marked a stunning return to red-ball form with a magnificent double century on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions at Canterbury. Batting under clear skies, Nair resumed from his overnight score of 186 and reached the 200-run mark in style, reinforcing his case for a place in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against England.
DOUBLE HUNDRED BY KARUN NAIR. 🇮🇳
– 203* (272) by Nair for India A, he's making a grand return in the Red Ball team. 💯 pic.twitter.com/42kmQsTrnB---Advertisement---— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 31, 2025
Steady Start, Strong Finish
Continuing from where he left off on Day 1, the 32-year-old Nair played with patience and purpose. Early on, he focused on rotating strike with quick singles and maintained his disciplined approach, leaving anything outside the off-stump corridor. England Lions, armed with a fiery pace attack, toiled in search of a breakthrough but were repeatedly denied by Nair’s solid technique and mental resilience.
After hours of hard work, Nair finally reached his double century in the final over of the 101st over. Bowler Eddie Jack strayed in line and length, allowing Nair to pierce the field with a boundary that brought up the milestone. The crowd erupted in applause as Nair removed his helmet and acknowledged the moment with a kiss to it—a symbol of his emotional journey and unwavering dedication.
A Redemption Arc Years in the Making
Back in December 2022, Nair had publicly expressed his desire to return to top-level cricket, pleading: “Dear cricket, give me one more chance.” On Saturday, it looked like the game had finally listened.
Despite a lackluster IPL season, Nair’s focus on red-ball cricket has helped him reclaim his form and timing. His composed innings of 204 runs from 281 deliveries stood as a testament to his grit and determination.
Jurel Impresses, but Falls Short
Earlier in the day, Dhruv Jurel resumed his innings with aggressive intent and looked set for a well-deserved hundred. However, the wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for 94 off 120 balls, just six runs shy of the landmark, after falling to a well-executed delivery by Ajeet Dale.
Brief Cameos from Lower Order
Nitish Kumar Reddy showed signs of promise but managed to survive only 22 balls before he edged one to the gloves of England Lions captain James Rew. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur added a burst of quick runs, scoring 18 from 13 balls with a couple of boundaries. His entertaining cameo ended when he holed out to Rew off Zaman Akhter.
Nair’s innings finally came to an end on 204, also caught by Rew, but not before he reminded the selectors and fans of his class and capability at the top level.
What Lies Ahead
With India’s high-stakes five-Test series against England starting June 20, Karun Nair’s innings couldn’t have come at a better time. Whether this knock earns him a spot in the national Test squad remains to be seen, but one thing is clear that Karun Nair is not done yet.
