Karun Nair finally found his rhythm with the bat on Saturday (May 24), delivering a much-needed 44-run knock for Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 clash against Punjab Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The stylish right-hander, who had announced his return to the IPL with a brilliant 89-run innings against Mumbai Indians earlier in the season—his first match since 2022—had since struggled to maintain consistency.
In the six innings following that explosive start, Nair had failed to cross the 20-run mark more than once and was dismissed for a duck twice. However, against Punjab, he showed glimpses of his old self. Walking in after Delhi had lost a couple of wickets, Nair played a composed yet impactful innings. He scored 44 runs from 27 balls, striking 5 elegant fours and clearing the ropes twice.
It was the first time since his opening game this season that he had crossed 40 runs, offering relief to the Delhi Capitals camp. Karun Nair began cautiously, accumulating 11 runs off his first 9 balls. But in the 11th over bowled by Praveen Dubey, he flipped a switch.
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Despite the pressure of a wicket falling earlier in the over, Nair responded with four consecutive boundaries, announcing his return to form in style and shifting momentum in Delhi’s favor.
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) May 24, 2025
At the time of writing, Delhi Capitals were 185/4 in the 18th over with Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi at the crease, chasing a stiff 207-run target set by Punjab Kings.
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Earlier, Punjab posted 206/8, courtesy of captain Shreyas Iyer’s composed 53 and Marcus Stoinis’ fireworks at the death. Stoinis, in particular, lit up the stadium with an unbeaten 44 off 16 balls, punishing Delhi’s bowlers with 3 fours and 4 sixes in a devastating cameo.
