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India A further tightened their hold on the first unofficial Test against England Lions, riding on Karun Nair’s sublime double century and a strong supporting act from wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel on Day 2 at Canterbury. After resuming on an already commanding overnight score, the visitors continued to pile on the runs and eventually reached 474/5 by the end of 103 overs. The fans, both in the stadium and online, celebrated Nair’s return to peak form—one that could have a major bearing on India’s plans for the upcoming Test series against England.
Karun Nair hits a splendid double ton
Nair, who began Day 2 on 186*, showed no signs of slowing down as he marched confidently toward his double century. With a calm temperament and silky strokeplay, Nair brought up his fourth double hundred in First-Class cricket—a reminder of the pedigree that once saw him notch a triple century in a Test match for India. His unbeaten 200+ knock came with a mix of resilience and aggression, punctuated by boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking and the England Lions bowlers under constant pressure. This innings also became his best for India A, eclipsing his previous 114* against South Africa A back in 2015.
While Nair held one end with poise, Jurel provided the perfect foil with a brisk and composed 94. The young wicketkeeper looked set for a hundred but fell just short, missing the milestone by six runs. Nevertheless, his knock added vital momentum to the innings and showcased his maturity as a batter. Their partnership not only frustrated the Lions bowlers but also further cemented India A’s dominance in the contest. Jurel’s growing consistency in red-ball cricket will surely please the selectors, especially with longer-format fixtures on the horizon.
Also READ: Karun Nair reacts after being named in India’s Test squad for the England tour
Double hundred puts Nair in contention for playing XI
With the senior Indian team set to face England in the five-match Test series beginning June 20, Nair’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Already named in the squad, this innings acts as a strong audition for a middle-order role in the playing XI. Given his past Test experience and current red-hot form, Nair could well be the stabilising presence India require in challenging English conditions. His double century in this unofficial Test may have just nudged the selectors and team management into serious consideration.
Here’s how fans reacted:
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
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 31, 2025
Returns, scores a double hundred and celebrates by kissing the 🇮🇳 badge!
This is Karun Nair 🔥 pic.twitter.com/x5FH8br1kV
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 31, 2025
KARUN NAIR KISSING THE HELMET AFTER COMPLETING DOUBLE HUNDRED 🫡 pic.twitter.com/GCrQJnjCzY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 31, 2025
Double century for KARUN NAIR 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/yIRlwjoA1a
— Cricket Picture that Goes Hard (@HardCricketpix) May 31, 2025
Doosra Mauka Zindagi sabko deti bas shart ye hai ki aap kitne tayyar Hain
Well played #KarunNair pic.twitter.com/y0Rs5V1tsY— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) May 31, 2025
– Dropped from Team India.
– Worked hard on his game.
– Scored truck loads of runs in domestic.
– 9 Hundreds in a single domestic season.
– Picked in India & India A Squad for England Tour.
– Now Double Hundred in first innings.KARUN NAIR IS TRULY BACK..!!!!! 🫡🌟 pic.twitter.com/P0QN12QEHz
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 31, 2025
Karun Nair celebrates with a kiss & a quiet acknowledgement after reaching a compact 200. With this, it seems, he has sealed his place in the playing 11 of the first Test against England. Video courtesy: JioHotstar #KarunNair #IndiaAvsEnglandLions @pra0902 @SushilAaron… pic.twitter.com/IoxKVyDln7
— Avijit Ghosh (@cinemawaleghosh) May 31, 2025
Karun Nair announces his comeback with a stunning double ton against England Lions in red-ball cricket.
— Tayyab Khan (@TayyabKhanARY) May 31, 2025
This is the great Karun Nair🔥🙌🏻 A truly deserving in Indian Test squad🇮🇳#KarunNair https://t.co/hmeYm6DJpf
— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) May 31, 2025
Brilliant Innings by Karun Nair 👌🏻 Should be batting at No 3 for India vs England Test series and should be given long run incase if he fails to deliver.#IndiaAvsEnglandLions
— CricketTrolls (@CricketTrolls27) May 31, 2025
The Way Karun Nair is Playing is a tight slap to BCCI and Selectors for ignoring him
— Waste Fellow (@bestspinner74) May 31, 2025
Karun Nair should play ahead of everyone , what a player he is , So happy for him..!!
— Chinmay Shah (@chinmayshah28) May 31, 2025
How many of you are as hungry as Karun Nair?
Mereko runs ki nahi, abhi paapdi-chaat ki bhook hai 😎 pic.twitter.com/U5M7LFTD63— Mandakini (@mandakini_) May 31, 2025
KARUN NAIR KISSING THE HELMET AFTER COMPLETED HIS DOUBLE HUNDRED. 🇮🇳🥹 pic.twitter.com/z5Vn3Ylp6Y
— Praveen kumar (@Naninaidu98) May 31, 2025
4th FC double hundred for Karun Nair
328 for Karnataka v Tamil Nadu in 2015
303* for India v England in 2016
202* for Northamptonshire v Glamorgan in 2024
203* currently for India A v England Lions in 2025— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 31, 2025
A top-class, resilient, and high-quality innings from Karun Nair, scoring 200* in English conditions is no easy feat, and he delivered it in his very first outing on this tour after a long-awaited comeback.
– He had been sidelined for years, largely because the team persisted… pic.twitter.com/YkjOusZlJ5
— Kashif (@cricstate) May 31, 2025
200* up for KARUN NAIR 🔥❤️!!! pic.twitter.com/vpFnVfpJjT
— RISHABH 18 (@rishabh18v) May 31, 2025
Karun nair is unbeaten on 203 . Think it’s wise to declare cause sometimes you don’t wanna score all your runs in a warm up match. Think this is enough to prove he deserves a crack in a first test. #KarunNair #warmupmatch
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) May 31, 2025
DOUBLE HUNDRED FOR KARUN NAIR ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/6ly2l7MH20
— Mohali to Melbourne 82* (@MelbourneNT82) May 31, 2025