New Delhi: When his name was brought up in the debate for India’s potential Champions Trophy squad earlier this year, many thought Karun Nair’s India return was still a far-fetched dream. It seemed a fair call not to pick Nair, despite his incredible run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, owing to the intense competition for spots in the quality Indian squad.
But the snub had little impact on Nair, who knew his chance would arrive. But his record-shattering Vijay Hazare campaign, which saw the veteran batter notch up 779 runs and a whopping average of 389.5, including five centuries, ensured the spotlight would be on him, no matter which teams he turns up to bat for next.
And so it was as Nair played his first match for Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2025. The 33-year-old seemed to have picked up from exactly where he left off for Vidaharbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as he smashed a stellar knock of 89 runs off just 40 balls to give Delhi Capitals a fabulous start in their pursuit of a huge target of 206 runs against Mumbai Indians in their first game of the season at their primary home ground – the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Playing his first IPL game after three years, Nair came on as an Impact Sub for Delhi Capitals during their run chase and turned the game on its head with his exceptional knock. He walked out in the middle after the hosts lost opener Jake Fraser McGurk on a Golden Duck on the very first ball of their innings. Nair looked like a man on a mission as he got going from the word go, and bailed his team out of pressure seamlessly.
The stylish right-hander looked in amazing touch and batted with in credible composure as he took the Mumbai Indians bowlers to the cleaners. Nair took down Jasprit Bumrah in the sixth over, smashing 18 runs against him with two sixes and a four to get to his fifty off just 22 balls on his comeback in the IPL. He didn’t stop there and piled on more misery on the MI bowlers.
Karun Nair makes yet another statement
Nair continued his phenomenal stroke play after the Powerplay as well, as he went after the likes of Hardik Pandya and Karn Sharma to ensure DC continued their momentum in the run-chase. He finished with a sensational 89 off just 40 balls, studded with 5 sixes and 12 fours, making yet another statement, this time in the IPL.
Nair added a 119-run stand for the second wicket to set the stage for a successful run chase for the hosts. Porel played the perfect second-fiddle to Nair with 33 off 25 balls. Their partnership gave Delhi Capitals the perfect platform despite the stuttering start. It was yet another statement knock from Nair after his heroics in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The senior batter, who has been backed by many to be recalled in India’s Test squad ahead of the all-important England tour later this year, will be hoping to make the most of his opportunities for Delhi Capitals in the remainder of the season. Nair might have failed to make the cut in India’s Champions Trophy squad but a great IPL campaign will all but confirm his Test return considering the lack of stability in the current Indian Test batting line-up.
Karun Nair made a statement with a fabulous knock on his IPL comeback for Delhi Capitals in their clash against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
