On Day 1, Nair helped India A finish at 409/3 with an undefeated 186 runs. He improved his reputation by showcasing a variety of strokes.
Dhruv Jurel was dismissed by India A for 94 runs on Day 2. Jurel scored 82* on the first day. Notably, Jurel and Nair contributed 195 runs for the second and fourth wickets.
Nair’s Dominant Double Century Lifts India A on Day 1
Karun Nair showcased his a batting brilliance with a commanding double century on Day 1 of the unofficial Test against England Lions, anchoring India A’s innings and putting them in a commanding position.
Early Blow, Strong Comeback
The day didn’t begin on a high for India A, with skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran falling early for just eight runs, dismissed by left-arm quick Josh Hull. But Karun Nair’s arrival at the crease marked a shift in momentum.
Nair and Sarfaraz Khan Stabilize the Innings
Walking in after the early blow, Nair built a solid partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, who came in after the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. By lunch, Nair had moved to 26, showing glimpses of his composed style and hunger for runs.
The pair counterattacked, capitalizing on every scoring opportunity against an inexperienced Lions bowling attack that struggled to maintain pressure. According to ESPNcricinfo, Nair’s compact stance and elegant wristwork helped him find boundaries on both sides of the wicket, particularly favoring shots in front of square on the off side. He frequently pierced the gap between point and mid-off, refusing to be drawn into risky strokes.
A Big Stand with Sarfaraz
The Nair-Sarfaraz partnership proved to be the backbone of the innings. They added 181 runs for the third wicket, with Sarfaraz contributing a vital 92 before falling just short of his century. His aggressive yet composed approach helped ease pressure and laid the foundation for a strong total.
Jurel Joins the Act
Following Sarfaraz’s departure, Jurel stepped in at No. 5 and immediately looked at home, batting fluently and ending the day unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls. His aggressive intent and smart shot selection complemented Nair perfectly, ensuring the scoring momentum continued.
Together, Nair and Jurel powered India A to a dominant position by stumps, with the scoreboard reading 479/6.
Nair Reaches Career Milestone with a Double Hundred
Karun Nair’s innings reached a crescendo as he brought up his maiden double century for India A, a marathon effort that spanned 281 deliveries and included 26 boundaries and a six. He was finally dismissed for 204 by Zaman Akhter, but not before making a massive impact.
A New Landmark in India A Career
This match marked a personal milestone for Nair. Playing his 19th match (31st innings) for India A, he crossed the 1,000-run mark in First-Class cricket for the team, becoming the 12th batter to achieve this feat. With this knock, he now has 1,167 runs at an average of 41.67, including 7 fifties and his first double century.
He also crossed 150 boundaries for India A, now tallying 160 fours in the format—further evidence of his consistent strokeplay and run-making ability.