Back in the Indian Premier League after an interruption of 2 years, Karun Nair marked his return to the T20 League with a superb blow for the capitals of Delhi, but although he was far from the League for two seasons, he always knew what to expect from the opposition in terms of quality having been there and did it earlier. Seizing his first opportunity for the season with both hands, Karun struck a superb 89 40 balls while pursuing a target of 206, but he went in vain while DC ended on 193 in 19 Overs to dry 12 points to Mumbai Indian. Few strikers struck Jasprit Bumrah for two in an end, and Karun underlined his preparation as a key to success, having won enough confidence during the national season during which he aggregated 1870 races for Vidarbha through the formats.
When he was asked to talk about his performance, Nair gave a brilliant answer, saying that there is “no value” by speaking on this subject while the team lost.
“You see, there is no advantage in talking about it. I played well, but my team lost the match, so it really doesn’t matter. There is no value for me of these sleeves if my team cannot win,” Karun said at the press conference.
Karun Nair when he was asked to talk about his sleeves:
“You see, there is no advantage in talking about it. I played well, but my team has lost the match, so it really does not matter. There is no value for me of these sleeves if my team cannot win.” pic.twitter.com/oypxwv9l0v
– MUFADDAL VOHRA (@mufaddal_vohra) April 14, 2025
“Honestly, I had the confidence I played [IPL] Before and I know how it will be, and it is nothing different that I am going to face anything again, “said Nair, a triple test crisis, told journalists.
“So, but in my mind, it was simply a question of going there and giving me some bullets and getting used to the speed of the game and the atmosphere,” said Nair, who played for the last time in the 2022 season for the Royals of Rajasthan.
He also spoke of hitting conventional shots during the PowerPlay, then going to improvisation during the last part of the sleeves.
“So I just said to myself:” Give yourself time, play normal shots and then you know, improvise if needed. “Fortunately, everything got off, and I’m happy to have beaten well. But again, I would have loved it if the team had gained winning.” He did not play in the first four games but knew that sooner or later his luck would come and he should be ready.
“Look, obviously, we have lost an important player in FAF, and we have always known – the few strikers who sit outside who should be and must be ready at any time. So, mentally, I was ready, and obviously, I can’t wait to play with IPL if it came. Prepare and be ready for the game.
“It is always a difficult call for the team to choose 11 or 12 players, and I always respected this. For me, it was a question of preparing and keeping the same process I followed, which worked for me, and of being ready to go there and play for the team.”
With PTI entries
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