Karun Nair’s return to the IPL arena was marked by hope, excitement, and the promise of redemption. But just a few matches into IPL 2025, the Delhi Capitals batter is under the scanner again—this time for a string of underwhelming performances that have frustrated fans and critics alike. The 33-year-old, who once dazzled the nation with a Test triple hundred, is now facing the heat after falling for a golden duck against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 55 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on May 5.
After being picked by Delhi Capitals for INR 50 lakh in the mega auction, expectations were high from Nair, especially following a prolific domestic season. He had stormed into the tournament with an electrifying 89 off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians, treating premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah with rare disdain. That innings, filled with elegance and aggression, sparked conversations about a potential India comeback for the England tour.
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But since that high, the runs have dried up. His subsequent scores—15, 4, 15, 31, 0, and now another duck—paint a worrying picture. Against SRH, Nair opened the innings with Faf du Plessis but was undone on the very first ball. Pat Cummins delivered a teasing good-length ball outside off; Nair prodded at it aimlessly, and a faint edge was enough for Ishan Kishan to complete a simple catch behind the stumps.
The dismissal summed up Nair’s struggles—tentative footwork, lack of decisiveness, and mounting pressure. While his initial innings had reignited belief, his recent string of low scores has cast serious doubt on his consistency.
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As expected, social media erupted with reactions after the golden duck—some disappointed, some critical, and others wondering if Karun Nair has once again let a golden opportunity slip away.
This was the reason Karun Nair was dropped from Test Team
He is highly Inconsistent.#SRHvDC— Mr X (@notYour_guy_) May 5, 2025
Abhi leke jaoge Karun Nair ko England?#SRHvsDC #IPLOnJioStar
— Dipak (@dipak__sawant) May 5, 2025
Karun Nair playing one good inning out of 10 matches, the same he will do with Indian cricket team but his PR portray him as next level GOAT player. #SRHvsDC
— 💪🧔💪🧔 (@ChessMaster1902) May 5, 2025
“Karun Nair should be played in ODI, Test, and T20 formats.
Meanwhile karun Nayar:#DCvsSRH pic.twitter.com/IUPOwOPUhs
— 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 (@Maikrrishna) May 5, 2025
Karun Nair 🤡 pic.twitter.com/oV5sQZHyKj
— Homie (@homelander_yyy) May 5, 2025
Karun Nair was just a one match wonder
— W’Lad (@VladIly1812) May 5, 2025
Purple patch of Karun Nair seems to be over…
Golden duck 🦆 #KarunNair #DCvsSRH pic.twitter.com/W7NbdsHxOA— Star Factor (@Musicalibrary) May 5, 2025
