IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals' Karun Nair responds again in style

Dubai: Karun Nair has been a name discussed frequently during the last domestic season.

He piled on runs at will for his team Vidarbha after he switched from Karnataka.

He first showcased his red-hot form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 779 runs in nine matches supported by five centuries to become the leading run scorer.

He continued to pile on runs and and it paid rich dividends when Vidarbha won the title.

At the IPL, Nair finally got a chance to play for his team Delhi Capitals after three years.

After being benched for the first four matches, Nair grabbed the opportunity that came calling against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

Coming to bat at No 3 in the 206-run chase against Mumbai, Nair proved yet again why he was still in the hunt for the top league.

His 89-run knock came off just 40 balls but despite his valiant effort Delhi Capitals fell short by 12 runs finishing at 193 in 19 overs.

"I felt like I am well prepared to play in the IPL if given the opportunity. It was all about me preparing the way that I have been all through the season and waiting for my chance. I was doing my bit to prepare and be ready for the game," he said.

"It's a learning for all of us. I'm disappointed that we couldn't win the match. We lost wickets at regular intervals so it was difficult for us in the end as we needed a set batter to stay till the end. But again, we can learn from this and improve on it. We will prepare well for the next match," added Nair, who is the only second Indian cricketer to score a triple century after Virendra Sehwag.

"We lost an important player in Faf (du Plessis). We always knew that there were few of us who were sitting outside and had to be ready at any given time. Mentally, I was ready and looking forward to the chance whenever it came. I am really happy that I got the opportunity. It is about me going out there and capitalising on that opportunity," Nair said about the approach to the game.

When asked about his striking against Jasprit Bumrah, Nair said, "It was about picking the right balls and playing to the areas that I wanted to play. He is the best bowler at the moment in world cricket. So, I had to be very watchful of where he was going to bowl. But again, I just backed myself and backed the areas that I wanted to score."

Speaking on Star Sports former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu said, “It’s sheer persistence because what you go through when things don’t go well for you in India is not easy to withstand. A lot of people have gone through that, and very few have come out of that with flying colours, and Karun Nair is one. Because once you get lost in the domestic system in India, it is very, very tough to make a comeback. Especially because mentally you’re always dragged down by so many things around you, and a lot of people will write you off.

“Cricket is a game that moves on fast, but still, cricket has moved on, but Nair, has not moved on. He has never left, learning, never left working hard, never, left the belief that he could make a comeback, especially in test cricket. I would sincerely hope and love that he goes to England. He’s on that flight, uh, in the test series.” he added.