'Karun Nair will be lead batter in Kohli, Rohit's absence': Twitter reacts as batsman slams double ton in England

Karun Nair made a big statement on Saturday, May 31, with a superb double century for India A against the England Lions during the first unofficial Test at Canterbury. This marathon knock comes at the perfect time, as India prepares for a tough five-match Test series against England starting June 20 in Leeds.

Nair, who famously scored a triple century in his third Test for India in 2016, has proved that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level. Walking in early on Day 1 after India Skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran was dismissed for just 8 in the sixth over, and Nair looked composed from the very first ball.

Karun Nair shines with a double century for India A

The right-handed batter adjusted quickly to the seaming conditions and began building the innings with calmness and authority. After a brief 39-run stand with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nair stitched a massive 181-run partnership for the third wicket with Sarfaraz Khan.

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Sarfaraz played a fluent knock of 92 runs off 119 balls before falling to Josh Hull in the 56th over. However, Nair then partnered with Dhruv Jurel (94 runs off 120 balls) and added 195 runs for the fourth wicket against England Lions in the ongoing first unofficial Test.

Jurel’s solid batting gave Nair the freedom to anchor the innings, rotate the strike, and keep the scoreboard ticking. They put India A in a commanding position in the match.

Nair’s double hundred was filled with elegant drives, clever placements, and excellent temperament. He showed great control against both pace and spin, leaving balls outside off-stump and punishing anything loose.

Karun Nair’s masterclass at Canterbury boosts hopes for Test return against England

His ability to play long innings under pressure and in seaming conditions has only boosted his chances to return to India’s XI in the upcoming Test series.

Notably, Karun Nair’s double century against the England Lions was his fourth 200-plus score in first-class cricket. His highest remains 328 for Karnataka in 2015-16. Interestingly, this was his second double hundred in England, after an unbeaten 202 for Northamptonshire in 2024.

However, he was eventually dismissed by Zaman Akhter for 204 runs off 281 runs with the help of 26 boundaries and a single maximum against England Lions in the ongoing first unofficial Test. Following his double century, fans have been praising the Vidarbha batter for his excellent comeback.

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Here's how fans react to Karun Nair's double ton:

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

🚨 DOUBLE HUNDRED FOR KARUN NAIR 🚨

- Batting at 3 for India A in his return to the team, he has made statement, What a knock, unbelievable innings from Karun against England Lions 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/09WOd2IcK5

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 31, 2025

Karun Nair scored DOUBLE CENTURY on his return vs England Lions.

Perfectly took the opportunity 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QL3hGAFc8C

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) 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

Double Hundred For Karun Nair 🙌🙌

Welcome Back #KarunNair 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/q89gpryM5V

— ANKITA KUMARI (@ankitajkhs) May 31, 2025

Arjun is fictional
Karun Nair is real ✅

204(281) giving statements to BCCI ??! What a comeback man! Take a bow 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #INDAvsENGLions pic.twitter.com/fzt0hOmRai

— R🦅 (@141ovalclassic) May 31, 2025

Karun Nair grabbing this opportunity with both hands

Also you have to feel for Sarfaraz Khan as he still won't be in the Playing XI ..

Dhruv Jurel is a certainty for sure. pic.twitter.com/qj5Z3GaxWF

— Mudit 🇮🇳 (@MuditHastir) May 31, 2025

Karun Nair You Beauty🤌🏻@karun126
If life gives you a second chance, grab it with both hands.

Patience, Resilience, Discipline at its peak.

Karun at 3!

If NKR fails in the second warm up game as well then Sarfaraz and Jurel should play ahead of him. #INDvsENG #KarunNair pic.twitter.com/upsQBtxQJM

— Om (@iOmKumar03) May 31, 2025

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/EfIpGVXfyX

— Cricket Guru (@Guru050895) May 31, 2025

@BCCI should simply accept their mistake of dropping Karun Nair and apologise to him for wasting his precious time of cricket. @timesofindia @aajtak @ndtv @IPL @GautamGambhir @ESPNcricinfo @RaviShastriOfc

— G Kalra (@imgkalra19) May 31, 2025

करुण नायर की खबर सुनी क्या...!!
Karun Nair 🫡

— मारवाड़ी काका (@marwadikaka25) May 31, 2025

This is what Karun Nair can do, strangely he had not picked for BGT and players like Vadapav ruined the entire series.

Since Rohit and Kohli both are not available, Nair will be the lead batter in the team. pic.twitter.com/16zhenPdMD

— Anuj Yadav 🇮🇳 (@Hello_anuj) May 31, 2025

Karun Nair makes strong case for No.3

Karun Nair has made a strong case for the No. 3 spot in India’s Test squad for the England series. With Virat Kohli retired and Shubman Gill expected to bat at No.4, India needs stability in the middle order. Nair’s calm approach and experience in tough conditions could give him the edge over Sai Sudharsan, especially if KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal open the innings in the Test series.

Earlier this season, Karun made the most of his chances with Vidarbha, scoring 863 runs in nine matches at an average of 54 in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He hit four centuries and two fifties, including a hundred in the final against Kerala, which helped Vidarbha win the title.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was even more dangerous, scoring 779 runs in eight innings with five centuries.