Karun Nair has continued his golden touch against the red ball. After a mammoth run-scoring 2024-2025 season for Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy, Nair has continued his run spree for the India A team. Facing the England Lions in Canterbury, the 33-year-old came out to bat in the 7th over of the first day.
Karun Nair gets hundred on India A return
This wasn’t going to be an easy challenge to face. Nair had made his run in the middle order for Vidarbha. But years of experience and his County Championship stint with Northamptonshire helped him acclimatise to the condition and situation. The pitch didn’t have any demons in it, but in no way was it easy to bat on.
Nair has upped his game in the last year, and for him, it wasn’t tough to succeed against Josh Hull, Ajeet Singh Dale, Zaman Akhter, and Edward Jack. He motored along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and then Sarfaraz Khan to score a fine fifty in the 37th over of the India A vs England Lions 1st unofficial Test in 85 balls.
He continued to pile on the runs. In the second session, he and Sarfaraz picked up the scoring pace. The latter couldn’t get to his hundred, departing at 92. But Nair made full use of his opportunity. He got triple digits in 155 balls, scoring his last fifty runs in 70 balls.
This makes Nair’s case for inclusion in India’s starting XI for Headingley very strong. His recent run spree, along with his experience of playing in England, already made him a suitable option. But this just proves why the selectors were right for giving him a chance.
Virat Kohli’s number 4 replacement?
Considering Shubman Gill has been batting at number three for Team India in Test cricket, Nair might be the best option to replace Virat Kohli at number four. Now it won’t be easy. One can’t forget that before Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar was India’s Test number four. For over 2 decades, two of India’s greatest batters have played at the spot. But Nair certainly has the game for it, especially in England.
KL Rahul has been great as an opener and the management won’t want to tinker with that. Gill is an opener by trade and number three wasn’t a position he even wanted initially. Sai Sudharsan too is a top-order batter. Considering all of this, Nair might be the best and perhaps the only option Team India might have for number four in Leeds and the entire Test series.
