Image: Karun Nair confronted Jasprit Bumrah during his fifty celebration / © Business Standard
Returning to the IPL after almost a gap of 3 years and making it hard for the best bowler to come out and play, Karun Nair had a fiery comeback during Delhi Capitals’ high-stakes clash against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 13. The match not only saw Nair hammer a brilliant 89 off just 40 balls but also witnessed a tense moment between him and India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The drama unfolded on the final ball of the powerplay when Nair, running hard to complete a double and reach his first IPL fifty in seven years, accidentally collided with Bumrah mid-pitch and then went back to completing the run for his half-century.
Though the incident seemed unintentional, and Nair immediately apologized, once during the run and again while celebrating his milestone, the collision didn’t sit well with Bumrah. During the Strategic Time-out that followed, Bumrah was seen having a few heated words with the DC batter, reflecting his frustration.
The moment caught everyone’s attention, including former MI skipper Rohit Sharma, who responded with his classic amused smirk, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise intense exchange. Nair was later seen explaining the situation to MI captain Hardik Pandya, seemingly trying to clear the air. While the game eventually tilted MI’s way, the Nair-Bumrah collision became one of the highlights of the night.
Despite the collision in the match with Jasprit Bumrah, it was Karun Nair who came out on the top in the contest against Bumrah as he delivered one of his finest IPL knocks in recent memory. Returning to the league as Delhi Capitals’ Impact Sub, Nair wasted no time making a statement, smashing a blazing 89 off just 40 balls at a phenomenal strike rate of 222.50. This was his first IPL fifty in seven years, and it couldn’t have come at a more impactful time. Nair’s innings were filled with authority, aggression, and flair.
He took on the challenge of facing Bumrah, the best bowler in the Mumbai Indians lineup, with remarkable confidence. In Bumrah’s first over, Nair tore into him with two audacious sixes and two crisp boundaries, showing no signs of hesitation. His T20 strike rate against Bumrah during the innings shot up to a stunning 194.11, underlining his dominance in that face-off. His fifty came up in just 22 balls, highlighted by fearless stroke play that included lofted shots over extra cover, powerful flicks over square leg, and perfectly placed drives through point. Even when Bumrah tried to vary his pace and deliver yorkers, Nair found ways to pierce the field or clear it altogether.
The drama heightened with a mid-pitch collision between the two players during a quick double. Though Nair apologized immediately, the incident brought a visible reaction from Bumrah and an animated smirk from Rohit Sharma. But Nair, undeterred, continued his onslaught. His 89 was not just a personal redemption story but also a crucial anchor for Delhi Capitals in their high-scoring chase. With seven fours and five sixes in the innings, Nair reminded everyone of his class, composure, and capability to shine under pressure, even against the very best.
With the announcement of his arrival in the IPL, Karun Nair made a bold statement, not just with his bat but with his intent. Playing his first IPL match after a gap of 1077 days, Nair scored a fluent 89, his career-best in the tournament, reigniting hopes of a national comeback. This inning wasn’t just a personal triumph but a timely reminder to the selectors ahead of the upcoming England tour.
Nair’s story has been one of brilliance often overshadowed by misfortune. Despite etching his name in Indian cricket history with a majestic unbeaten 303 against England in 2016, making him only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to achieve a triple-century in Test cricket but his international career failed to take off. After just six Tests, he found himself out of favour, with opportunities dwindling despite consistent performances in domestic cricket. In 2022, an emotional Nair took to social media with a heartfelt message: “Dear cricket, give me one more chance”.
The plea resonated with fans but not the selectors. Even after solid performances in tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he continued to be overlooked. However, his IPL return was a turning point. The elegant right-hander showcased form, determination, and fitness, all the qualities a middle-order batter needs in English conditions.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Out | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 6 | 7 | 1 | 374 | 303* | 62.33 | 73.91 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 4 |
| ODIs | 2 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 39 | 23.00 | 52.27 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| FC | 114 | 183 | 16 | 8211 | 328 | 49.16 | 52.39 | 23 | 36 | 1012 | 44 |
| List A | 107 | 97 | 21 | 3128 | 163* | 41.15 | 89.24 | 8 | 14 | 330 | 53 |
| T20s | 164 | 149 | 17 | 3551 | 111 | 26.90 | 136.26 | 2 | 22 | 355 | 121 |
Over the last few seasons, Nair has averaged well in domestic cricket and adapted his game across formats. Now, with the England tour approaching and India still seeking dependable options in the middle order, Nair’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time. His triple-century still stands as a testament to his potential. Perhaps the time has finally come for Karun Nair to don the Indian jersey again and script a second chapter in his international career.