CHENNAI, India: Indian batsman Karun Nair smashed a double century on Monday in just the third Test match of his career on day four of the fifth Test against England in Chennai.
The 25-year-old batsman started the day on 71 and notched his maiden Test century in the morning session.
But he wasn’t going to settle for that and went on to reach 200 runs just after the tea break as India took charge of the match by extending their first innings lead to well over 100.
Nair’s sensational knock came off 306 balls and was laced with 23 fours and a six. He reached his double ton with a classic cover drive off England medium-pacer Keaton Jennings.
The double century comes a day after teammate Lokesh Rahul missed 200 by a single run after getting out to Adil Rashid on 199 in the final moments of the third day’s play.
Nair was involved in a 181-run stand with Ravichandran Ashwin as the duo took India’s score past 600.
England, who scored 477 in their first innings, are looking for a consolation win after losing the series 3-0.
Nair’s knock was the second double century of the series after skipper Virat Kohli hit a majestic 235 — his third double ton of the year — in the fourth Test in Mumbai.
