Follow UsThe Mumbai Indians team put up a spirited performance in Delhi after being behind in the chase and pulled off a victory from the jaws of defeat against the Delhi Capitals despite Karun Nair’s valiant 89 off just 40 deliveries.
Chasing 206, Nair walked in at number three after Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed on the first ball of the chase itself. He was getting a chance to play in the Indian Premier League for the first time since 2022.
The batter who plays for Vidarbha now was up for anything the Mumbai Indians (MI) threw at him. He got to his fifty off just 22 deliveries in the powerplay, which set the tone for the chase. But once DC lost Karun in the 12th over for 89 off 40, things went downhill for DC, as they lost by 12 runs.
Speaking after the match, Nair expressed disappointment over not being able to win the game and said that his runs don’t carry any value as he failed to win the game for his team.
“We play to win the match, so there is disappointment. And no matter how much we score, if the team does not win, then there is no value of it,” Nair said.
“For me, the team’s win was very important, and it did not happen. But it’s a learning, and we will go forward, and I hope I will keep performing like this, and we will win. There is no point talking about my innings, because I played well, but I could not finish, so there is disappointment.
“Obviously, it was easier for the set batsman to play than for the new batsman. So it was very important for a set batter to continue. We lost wickets at regular intervals, so it was difficult for us in the end. But having said that, they (MI) also bowled well and put us under pressure,” he added.
It’s notable that Nair was slotted in at the last moment after Faf du Plessis was out of the game due to an injury, and DC brought him in as an impact player. Despite the hasty nature of the events that led to his inclusion, Nair came with an ever-ready mentality to ace the game.
“Look, obviously, we lost an important player in Faf, and we always knew there were a few of us who were sitting outside who are batsmen who should be and have to be ready at any given time,” the right-handed batter said.
“So mentally, I was ready and looking forward to the chance whenever it came. So I am really happy that I got the opportunity. It’s about me now, going out there and capitalising on that opportunity.”
Nair also clarified that his focus is solely on the IPL at the moment, and he is not thinking about returning to the Indian side for the England Test tour right after the IPL.
“In my mind, right now this tournament (IPL) is going on, and the way I performed well in the season, I feel that I should continue, and whatever consistency I’m showing, keep doing that and don’t think too much about the future,” Nair said.
“Think about each and every match and treat every day as a new day. For me, right now, the most important thing is that whatever opportunities I get, I have to fully utilise them, and whatever happens in the future will be seen, but for now, I’m focused on every match.”