Kevin Pietersen Lauds Karun Nair, KL Rahul Ahead Of England Tour: 'He Got 100...'
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Kevin Pietersen has praised Karun Nair and KL Rahul for their dedication to Test cricket after a long T20 league.
Former England cricketer and Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen lauded his boys Karun Nair and KL Rahul, praising their commitment towards playing the longest format soon after a gruelling two-month-long T20 league, ahead of a big Test series against his native England.
Nair vindicated the selectors' call to include him in the main team as he smacked a double hundred in the ongoing first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions in Canterbury.
Karun made 204 off 281 deliveries (26×4 1×6) as India A continued their strong march after resuming from the overnight 409/3.
Karun was involved in an 181-run partnership for the third wicket with Sarfaraz Khan and a 195-run stand with Dhruv Jurel.
As per reports, Rahul has requested that BCCI fly him to Northamptonshire next week so that he can play the second match between India A and England Lions.
'Karun got a 100 yesterday, and KL has asked BCCI to travel early to the UK to get extra practice in before Tests – 2 gems! ????," Pietersen tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
advetisement
According to a report in The Times of India, Rahul will leave for Northamptonshire on June 2 after being granted permission by the BCCI.
Rahul decided to play the second India A match against the England Lions after rain had spoiled his preparation in Mumbai. With the weather clearing only by June 5 and the rest of the Indian team set to travel on June 6, Rahul decided to leave earlier.
Rahul had played for India A before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia as well. He was one of India's best batters in that series, which they lost 1-3.
India will be captained by Shubman Gill against England, while Rishabh Pant will serve as his deputy.
Meanwhile, India A were finally bowled out for a whopping 557 in the second session of Day 2, with Josh Hull and Zaman Akhter picking three wickets apiece.
Karun, who resumed from overnight 186, brought up his 200 off 272 deliveries with a boundary over covers off pacer Eddie Jack.
First Published:
May 31, 2025, 18:50 IST
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