Sarfaraz and Nair shame Indian cricket selectors

On one of England’s historic, green and pleasant cricketing plains, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair have rather shamed India’s national selectors. 

Despite twin fifties against England on his maiden appearance in tests last year, followed by an innings of 150 against New Zealand, Khan was overlooked for the Tests in Australia last winter and omitted from even the jumbo-sized squad for the series against England starting 20 June.

He responded in the best manner a batsman can — with a resounding knock, albeit just short of a fairytale hundred. He was eventually caught down leg-side for 92, but had contributed sizeably as India A, on the opening day of their first of two four-day Tests against England Lions, powered their way to 409/3 at close of play.

The new Indian team management headed by Gautam Gambhir's punditry subtly spread the perception that Khan was technically ill-equipped for the hard pitches Down Under and wouldn’t be able to cope with the swing and seam in England.

Thus, relegated to India A level, he joined Nair — who was ultimately unconquered on 186 — with the tourists on an uncertain 51/2. On a characteristically greenish English wicket, Khan was cautious against the moving ball. Of course, the England Lion pacers, though tall and brisk, were not as experienced as their Test-playing seniors. But Indians have, over the decades, succumbed to lesser bowlers on Blighty's grassy tracks.  

Sarfaraz Khan stood tall with a gritty 5️⃣0️⃣ in the 1st Test 💪

Watch Day 2️⃣ of England Lions vs India 🅰️ Unofficial Test - LIVE NOW on #SonyLIV 📲 pic.twitter.com/YVOJ0Bd5o2

— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) May 31, 2025

Khan’s only blemish was a snick to second slip off a toiling right-arm fast-medium Ajit Singh Dale on 89, when he was dropped. But he had accomplished enough to expose the injustice meted out to him. However, he would be well-advised to eradicate his safety stroke of a steer to gully by meeting the leather with the full face of the willow.

Canterbury, seat of the Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, is in the county of Kent, where in the 13th century in its Weald region, anecdotally, a form of sport was first played by shepherds which evolved into cricket. The 16th century records written evidence of such a pastime. In the 18th century, if not earlier, 'milkmaids of Kent' were reputed in an afternoon to indulge in ‘stoolball’, also a type of cricket with milking stools standing in for stumps.

The St Lawrence Ground, as salubrious a setting as any for India A’s opening fixture — with a decent-sized audience reflecting the English attachment to traditional cricket — is steeped in history. It has existed since 1847, and today's architecture around it is a seamless blend of ancient and modern.

HUNDRED BY KARUN NAIR. 🇮🇳

- 24th First class hundred by Nair, he's making a statement with India A ahead of the England Test series. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/MOeQpfyYCC

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 30, 2025

Yet, its unique feature — a lime tree within the boundary — had to be uprooted in 2005, when high winds broke it in two. A Hampshire batsman was once lawfully caught off the tree as an extraordinary rule decreed so.

But every structure surrounding the oval-shaped field is christened with names of eminent exponents from Kent. Frank Woolley and Leslie Ames, who confronted India on their test debut in 1932. Michael Colin Cowdrey,  the acronym of whose name echoed that of the guardians of the game, Marylebone Cricket Club; not to mention wicket-keeper Alan Knott and left-arm spinner Derek Underwood. From an Indian perspective, Rahul Dravid flooded the arena with runs as no other overseas player.  

The overflow of runs on this occasion emanated from Nair. He was a member of the Indian touring party in 2018; but didn’t get a look-in, notwithstanding a triple Test hundred in his CV. Hanuma Vihari, not among the original visitors, was para-dropped into the final Test to deny Nair an opportunity.

Nair looked very much at home. His seasoning at and success with Northamptonshire county renders him composed and confident amidst the vagaries of the first-class circuit in England. His towering ton may have sealed a place for him in the Indian middle order next month. Dhruv Jurel was keeping him company on an unbeaten 82.