Ignored by national selectors and benched all season, Karun Nair stuns fans with a 22-ball blitzkrieg fifty for Delhi Capitals in a dramatic clash vs Mumbai Indians.
New Delhi | April 14, 2025:
Karun Nair—once a forgotten name in Indian cricket—staged a sensational comeback on Sunday, hammering his first IPL half-century in seven years. The Delhi Capitals batter, playing his first game of the season as an Impact Player, smashed 89 runs off just 39 balls, including 18 runs off a single over from Jasprit Bumrah, setting social media on fire.
Promoted to chase down a stiff 206-run target against Mumbai Indians, Nair’s explosive 22-ball fifty included boundaries, fearless lofts, and clean hitting, reviving memories of his past brilliance, including his famous Test triple century in 2016.
Twitter Reacts: “What a story!”
Nair’s innings was hailed as a cricketing fairytale. His powerplay carnage helped DC race to 72/0 inside six overs, and though his 89 went in vain, fans and commentators alike were stunned by the audacity and class of his knock.
What a story Karun Nair is making a statement.
— Aditya (@NameisAditya_) April 13, 2025
Continuing his form from domestic #DCvMI https://t.co/w6OLxj8ufh pic.twitter.com/Ioz8LxFWT8
Nair had been in red-hot form in domestic cricket for Vidarbha, but his IPL chances remained limited—until now. His Sunday heroics may well rewrite his T20 career arc.
Karun Nair is showing all of us why playing domestic cricket & current form is so so important 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 13, 2025
"Spare a moment to salute Karun Nair. Shouldn’t we acknowledge his relentless hard work and dedication?" 🫡#KarunNair | #DCvMIpic.twitter.com/ONSBl8UwJx https://t.co/0E5hihLduU
— Harsh 17 (@harsh03443) April 13, 2025
The way Karun Nair Cameback from this situation is outstanding.
— ಹೆಸರಲ್ಲೇನಿದೆ ಬಿಡಿ (@Naneyidupakka) April 13, 2025
What a player. Toying Bumrah like a gully cricket bowler 😅#KarunNair #DCvsMI pic.twitter.com/E7rfhbsTyz
Mumbai Holds Nerve Despite Nair’s Blitz
Despite Nair’s onslaught, Delhi Capitals collapsed dramatically, slipping from 119/1 to 193 all out, suffering three bizarre run-outs and losing the match by 12 runs.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya credited the win to Karn Sharma, who bagged 3 crucial wickets for 36 runs at a critical juncture.
“We were running out of options against Karun. His knock took us by surprise,” said Pandya, adding,
“Karn showed a lot of heart, especially at a small ground like this.”
Skipper’s Tactical Call Seals It for MI
Pandya revealed that it was Rohit Sharma who suggested introducing Karn Sharma and changing the ball after the 11th over—calls that turned the game on its head.
“Fielding wins games. We didn’t give up and converted our chances,” Pandya added, reflecting on the collapse that allowed MI to register only their second win of IPL 2025.
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