Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya praised his team’s fighting spirit but couldn’t help but admire Karun Nair for his sensational knock of 89 off 40 balls against them. The Delhi Capitals batter, making his IPL comeback after two years, lit up the evening with an innings full of class, power, and experience.
Though Delhi Capitals eventually lost their first match of the season, it was Nair’s fearless batting that stole the show. Coming in as an Impact Player, Nair struck 12 boundaries and 5 sixes, reaching his first IPL fifty in 7 years off just 22 balls. His onslaught included clean hits even against pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, whom he smashed for multiple boundaries and sixes.
Pandya: “We Were Running Out of Options”
Speaking after the match, Hardik Pandya confessed that Mumbai Indians had no answers for Nair’s brilliance.
“We were running out of options of what to bowl at him. The way he took on our bowlers, took his chances, and the way he executed—it was brilliant,” said Pandya during the post-match presentation.
Pandya emphasized the importance of winning close games and appreciated his side’s never-give-up attitude despite Nair’s threatening knock.
Karn Sharma’s Breakthrough Spells Turn the Game
MI’s fightback came largely through Karn Sharma, who delivered a game-changing spell, picking up key wickets including KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, and Tristan Stubbs. Pandya lauded the spinner’s bravery to toss the ball up on a ground with short boundaries.
“Shows great character, to be brave and toss it up when the boundaries are just 60m long,” Pandya noted, praising Karn’s calm under pressure.
“Keep Fighting Was the Chatter”: Hardik on MI Strategy
Pandya also elaborated on the team’s strategy and how they kept believing throughout the game. He highlighted the impact of dew and the importance of getting players in form to face more deliveries.
“We never gave up. We kept saying we want to stay in the contest. It was all about staying in the game and taking our chances. Wins like this change momentum and can turn everything around,” he said.
Karun Nair’s Comeback Making Headlines
Karun Nair’s form in domestic cricket had already made noise ahead of IPL 2025. With strong performances in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the 33-year-old earned a return to Delhi Capitals—where he once captained the side briefly back in 2017.
His explosive knock against MI was a reminder of his class and determination, and if his current form continues, he could be the X-factor for Delhi Capitals going forward.
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