6,4,4,4...This Indian Batter Smashes Blistering Ton against England! Could Be Virat Kohli's Replacement

India may have finally found a solid replacement for Virat Kohli at number 4 in Test cricket. The player who can replace Kohli at the spot might be Karun Nair, who made a strong return to the whites and gained the spotlight on May 29, 2025, after he scored a brilliant century for India A against England Lions in the first unofficial Test at Canterbury.
With this show, Nair has made a strong claim to be a part of India's Playing XI for the first Test against England. Recently, both the senior batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, announced their retirements from Tests. Nair can emerge to be a perfect Virat Kohli replacement in Tests.

Can Karun Nair be Virat Kohli Replacement in Tests?

Karun Nair walked in to bat at number three. He looked confident from the very first ball. He played attacking cricket and dominated the England Lions bowlers. He played shots all around the ground with utmost authority. Nair continued his fluent touch from the IPL, where he represented Delhi Capitals and played a few eye-catching knocks at the top order.

He cut, pulled, and drove with flair as if he hardly looked in any trouble. Nair reached his hundred off 155 balls. After reaching the three-figure mark, he was even more aggressive and reverse-swept the spinners with precision. By the end of Day 1, he was unbeaten on 186 off 246 balls and will eye a double-century on the second day. His classy knock included 24 fours and a six.

This was Nair’s 24th First-Class century. It came at the perfect time. Just a few days ago, he was picked in India’s Test squad for the five-match series against England. It is his first Test call-up in eight years. The selectors brought him back after a strong domestic season, where he racked up plenty of runs. Now, the senior team management might try him as a Virat Kohli Replacement in Tests at No. 4 in Test cricket.

Karun Nair’s Strong Performance in Domestic Cricket

Nair played a key role for Vidarbha in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy. He scored 863 runs in nine matches. His average was 54. He helped Vidarbha win their third Ranji title. These performances forced the selectors to take notice. Karun Nair last played a Test for the Indian Test cricket team in March 2017. It was against Australia in Dharamsala. He has played six Tests so far. He has scored 374 runs with a superb average of 67 and a highest score of 303 not out.

He achieved that against England in Chennai in 2016. He became only the second Indian batter to score a triple century in Test cricket, after Virender Sehwag. Despite that brilliant knock, Nair did not get many chances. He was dropped from the team and spent years waiting for a comeback. Now, at 33, he has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

His recent hundred against England Lions is a big boost. It shows that he is in great form ahead of the England Test series. Nair also has experience in English conditions. He played county cricket for Northamptonshire in 2023 and 2024. He scored 736 runs in 10 matches at an average of 52.57. He also scored a double century during that stint.

India A’s Stellar Show

Thanks to Nair's innings, India A posted 409/3 on the board at the end of Day 1. At the other end of the pitch in Canterbury, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel also impressed. The 24-year-old was unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls at stumps. He played some fluent strokes and gave good support to Nair. Jurel is also part of the Indian Test cricket team squad for the England Tests. His form will please the team management. India A’s strong show in Canterbury is a great sign.

The senior team will take on England in the first Test in a few weeks. Karun Nair’s knock has surely boosted his chances of making the playing XI. If he continues to perform like this, he could become a key player in India’s Test future. India has waited long to find someone who can fill Kohli’s shoes. Karun Nair may be ready for that challenge. His story is one of patience, hard work, and determination. And now, he is back where he belongs, in India’s Senior Test team.