Karun Nair marked his return to the Indian Premier League after three years with a spectacular 89 runs off 40 balls in the match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians on Sunday. Mumbai defeated Delhi by 12 runs, with Karn Sharma’s crucial 3-36 bowling spell at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Nair’s impressive comeback innings included 12 fours and 5 sixes, targeting Mumbai’s premier bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Hardik Pandya. His social media post from 2022 saying “Dear cricket, give me one more chance” went viral following his performance.
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Chasing 206 for victory, Delhi appeared comfortable at 135-2 when Nair was dismissed. The team’s collapse followed, leading to their eventual score of 193 all out at their home ground, Feroz Shah Kotla.
“Winning is always special,” said Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya. “Especially in games like this. You have to keep fighting and it means a lot.”
Delhi suffered their first defeat after four consecutive wins, while Mumbai secured only their second victory in six matches. The match concluded dramatically with three run-outs in the final three balls of the 19th over.
“I always believe fielding is something which can change the game upside down,” said Pandya. “We were switched on, didn’t give up and they got the chances and converted. Amazing.”
Nair, 33, entered as an impact substitute when Delhi were 0/1. His half-century, his first in IPL after seven years, came off 22 balls during a 119-run partnership with Abhishek Porel.
Mumbai’s innings featured Tilak Varma’s 59 and Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 38, helping the team reach 205-5.
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