Karun makes statement with 186 not out, Sarfaraz misses ton in India A's 409/3

Karun Nair shines with unbeaten 186 as India A dominates England Lions in 'Unofficial' Test match.

Karun Nair was elegance personified while serving a timely reminder to the Gautam Gambhir-led team management with a classy unbeaten 186 as India A cruised to 409 for 3 against a below-par England Lions on the opening day of the first 'Unofficial' Test here on Friday (May 30, 2025).

While Nair is known to bat either at No. 4 or below in first-class cricket, he looked at ease during his unbeaten 246-ball knock which made the Lions bowlers, including their Test star Rehan Ahmed, look completely pedestrian.

India A batters made the best use of loose deliveries but the quality of Lions bowling attack and nature of the track might not be an appropriate reflection of what can be expected in Test matches.

The Bengaluru man, who now plays for Vidarbha, used his extensive experience of playing for English County Northamptonshire during his 24th first-class ton.

His innings had 24 fours and one six but it couldn't have come at a more opportune time as Gambhir frets over his batting combination for the opening Test against England at Leeds, starting June 20.

Sarfaraz Khan (92 off 119 balls) blended a bit of muscle and a lot of cheekiness but missed out on a three-figure mark after doing all the hard work.

The duo added 181 runs for the third wicket stand and then Dhruv Jurel (82 batting, 104 balls) made merry during another 177-run stand for the unbroken fourth wicket alliance.