Karun Nair celebrated a long-awaited India Test recall in style, hammering a statement century for India A against England Lions at Canterbury.
Where has Nair been all these years?
After his blistering triple-century against England in just his third Test (2016), Karun Nair played just three more matches, with his last appearance coming a few months later against Australia. During an eight-year international exile, it seemed as if Nair might never come again. "Dear cricket, give me one more chance," he tweeted. His consistent recent domestic performances earned him an India A call-up against England Lions, a precursor to his recall for India’s Test squad against England.
After changing allegiance from Karnataka to Vidarbha for the 2023-24 domestic season, Nair scored 863 runs in nine first-class matches at an average of 54, helping his team to win the third Ranji Trophy title. He also had a stellar 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s List A competition, scoring 779 runs in eight innings at an average of 389.50.
His county experience – 863 runs at 53.93 – with Northamptonshire also played a role in the call-up, given India are going through a transition following the retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin.
Nair tons up on India A comeback
Many Test regulars are part of the India A squad for the unofficial Tests, with Nair earning a recall, highlighting the importance of the shadow tour. In a bid to cement his place in the playing XI for the first Test from June 20 at Headingley, Nair had a dream comeback.
After being put to bat first in the first four-day match at Canterbury, India were in a spot of bother, losing captain Abhimanyu Easwaran for eight. Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) too returned for a low score, with India A slipping to 51-2. From there on, Nair, at No.3, stitched a 181-run stand with Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a stroke-filled 119-ball 92 days after being dropped from the Test squad.
1st unofficial Test, England Lions vs India A
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Having reached his fifty off 85 balls with a four off Zaman Akhter, Nair needed another 70 deliveries to bring up his hundred. At the time of writing, he was batting on 137 off 184 with 19 fours and a six to his name.
For the Lions, two-metre-tall left-arm fast bowler Josh Hull claimed two wickets, with Eddie Jack being the other wicket-taker till now.
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