Karun Nair had an incredible game on Sunday evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi while playing for the Delhi Capitals. His impressive performance saw him scoring 89 runs off just 40 balls, which is something you’d expect to see in a highlight reel. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the team couldn’t manage to secure a win, losing to the Mumbai Indians by 12 runs. This was especially tough for Karun since it was his first season back in the IPL since 2022. He was hoping to help the team notch up five consecutive victories.
After the game, he faced the media and expressed his disappointment. At 33, Karun entered the game as an impact player, putting up a solid partnership with Abhishek Porel, with the two of them racking up 119 runs for the second wicket. Despite his individual success, he didn’t feel satisfied. We play to win, and when that doesn’t happen, it feels disappointing, he reflected. He mentioned that no matter how well he played, it felt pointless when the team’s result was a loss. He emphasized that the team’s success mattered more to him than his personal performance. I hope to keep playing this way and contribute to wins in the future, he said.
During the match, things were looking good for Delhi, as they were sitting at 119 for 1 after just over ten overs. But then, out of nowhere, they crumbled, losing the next nine batters for only 73 runs. Karun mentioned that losing wickets at crucial times changed the dynamic of the game for Delhi, but he also acknowledged the pressure from the MI bowlers. When you’re already in, it’s easier to bat than when you’re coming in fresh. It’s tough when the wickets are falling regularly, he pointed out, giving credit where it was due to the opposing bowlers.
He was clear that partnerships in T20 cricket are vital, and when those breaks down, it makes winning a lot harder. We were trying to score quickly, but sometimes that can lead to losing wickets, so we’ve got to learn from this and keep building on the momentum we had going into this game, he added.
Karun has made headlines this year with his solid performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his capabilities. After waiting for four matches to get his chance in the IPL, he finally got on the field when Faf du Plessis got hurt. Reflecting on this opportunity, he said he was mentally prepared for when the moment came. I knew I had to stay ready. I was looking forward to stepping in whenever I got the chance, and I’m glad I could make it count, he noted.
The press also asked him about facing Jasprit Bumrah, one of the top bowlers in the game. Karun did well against him, hitting a couple of fours in the fourth over and then some big sixes in the last over of the powerplay. I felt really good at the crease, and I didn’t want to break my momentum, he explained. You’ve got to pick your balls wisely and know where you want to score, especially against someone like him. I just trusted my instincts and focused on hitting the areas I wanted.
While Karun’s strong performances have sparked talks about a possible call-up to the Indian team, he stated he’s focused solely on the IPL right now. For me, it’s all about what’s happening in the tournament right now. I just want to keep performing well and stay consistent. Each match is a new opportunity, and it’s important to make the most of that, he said, adding that he’s not letting thoughts about the future distract him.
