Karun Nair’s remarkable return to big-stage cricket in the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) IPL 2025 matchup against the Mumbai Indians (MI) has been praised by former India star Aakash Chopra. He said that after taking Jasprit Bumrah to the cleaners, the Vidarbha batter is back at the top level.
On Sunday, April 13, in Match 29 of the IPL 2025 at Delhi, MI set DC a target of 206 runs. The host team lost by 12 runs after being bowled out for 193 despite Nair smashing 89 runs off 40 deliveries in the pursuit.
In a video posted to his “Aakash Chopra” YouTube account, the former India opener commended Nair on his outstanding return after a period of inactivity.
“Karun Nair is back. If you take Bumrah down, that means you are back. Nothing can be better than that. Mumbai won, but the biggest story is Karun Nair. He had tweeted in 2022 – ‘Dear cricket, give me one more chance.’ You don’t get a second chance just like that. However, cricket said it would test him but eventually give him something.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra pointed out that the former Karnataka player’s outstanding achievements for Vidarbha this season helped him regain his reputation.
“He got dropped by Karnataka and had almost left cricket. However, he shifted to Vidarbha. He didn’t score runs in the first year, but this year, he scored nine centuries across three formats. He won the Ranji Trophy, won matches for his team, and then returned to the IPL after three years.”
Aakash Chopra
The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster went on to say that Nair was a little lucky to be included in DC’s lineup and given the opportunity to bat at number three.
“He got a chance to play for the first time in the fifth match. He got the chance to come as an ‘Impact Player’ since Faf (du Plessis) had gotten injured, and Sameer Rizvi hadn’t scored runs. So they tried Nair. (KL) Rahul also could have come to bat at that number, but he didn’t.”
Aakash Chopra
In DC’s IPL 2025 match against MI, Karun Nair entered as a ‘Impact Sub’ for Mukesh Kumar and faced the second delivery in the chase after Jake Fraser-McGurk was removed off the opening ball. In his partnership with Abishek Porel (33 off 25) for 119 runs at the second wicket, he hit two sixes and three fours off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.
“He scored runs with proper cricketing shots” – Aakash Chopra on Karun Nair’s strokeplay in DC’s IPL 2025 clash vs MI
Aakash Chopra mentioned in the same video that Karun Nair mostly used real cricket shots to score his runs.
“Firstly, he scored runs on the off side. A player whose timing, technique, and placement are good scores runs on the off side. It means he scored runs with proper cricketing shots. He is the same guy who scored a triple hundred in a Test match but didn’t get too many opportunities after that.”
Aakash Chopra
According to the analyst, the Test triple centurion would be included in India’s team for the post-IPL 2025 England visit.
“Only two Indians have scored a triple hundred. Viru (Virender Sehwag) has two to his name, and he (Nair) has scored one. Karun Nair’s comeback is the story of belief. He has an IPL contract and has scored runs. I am saying he will also go to England and play Test cricket as well.”
Aakash Chopra
In seven Test innings, Karun Nair has amassed 374 runs at an average of 62.33. It includes a perfect 303 versus England in December 2016 in Chennai.
