Fifth Test: Nair's ton helps India to 463/5 vs England (Lead Lunch)

Chennai, Dec 19 (IANS) Karnataka youngster Karun Nair's maiden unbeaten century helped India post 463/5 at lunch on the penultimate day of the fifth and final cricket Test against England here on Monday.

Nair was unbeaten on 122 with all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin (9 not out) as India lost the lone wicket of Murali Vijay (29) in the morning session of play at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

For England, debutant left-arm spinner Liam Dawson was the only successful bowler in the first session as the hosts are just 14 runs shy of the visitor's first innings total of 477.

Resuming the day at 391/4, both Nair and Vijay batted the first hour without any discomfort on a track which was slow enough that the batsmen can't force their ways into getting runs.

Nair, who was unbeaten on 71 at stumps on Sunday looked in good control as the 25-year-old went on to score his maiden Test hundred with a boundary off Ben Stokes behind point.

Both Nair and Vijay continued to frustrate the English bowlers as the duo added 44 runs to the overnight total before the Chennai batsman's 76-ball vigil was halted by Dawson, who trapped him in front just before the lunch break.

Vijay's dismissal, however, did not deter Nair's confidence as the youngster paired with another local boy, Ravichandran Ashwin to take India to 463/5 when the umpires called for the lunch break.

Nair has so far faced 217 deliveries for his 122, with 11 boundaries and a six while Ashwin has consumed 36 balls and hit one four during his brief stay at the crease.

--IANS

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