IPL 2025: DC VS MI, Karun Nair’s Explosive Comeback Smashes 89 off 40 Balls as Impact Player for Delhi Capitals

IPL 2025: DC VS MI After a gap of nearly three years, Karun Nair made a thunderous return to the Indian Premier League (IPL), reminding everyone of his class and power-hitting capabilities. Playing as an Impact Player for Delhi Capitals in the 2025 season, the 33-year-old batter lit up the stage with a blazing half-century against Mumbai Indians, marking a stunning personal milestone and breaking several records along the way.

Out of Syllabus for Mumbai Indians

Karun Nair, who last played in the IPL in 2022, looked like he had never left. Brought in as an Impact Player after Delhi’s poor start—losing Jake Fraser-McGurk on the very first ball Karun Nair grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The experienced right-hander smashed a 22-ball fifty, eventually scoring a sensational 89 runs off just 40 deliveries.

His knock included 12 boundaries and 5 towering sixes, ending with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 222.50. It was his 11th IPL half-century and his first in six years, making the moment even more special.

Second-Highest Score by an Impact Player

Nair’s 89 is now the second-highest score by an Impact Player in IPL history, just behind Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 107 against KKR in 2024. In the process, he overtook Rohit Sharma’s 68 against Lucknow Super Giants from last season.

Here’s a quick look at the top Impact Player scores in IPL:

Dominating Jasprit Bumrah

One of the biggest highlights of Karun Nair’s innings was his assault on Jasprit Bumrah. Facing just nine deliveries from the star pacer, Nair scored 26 runs, making him the second-highest scorer against Bumrah in a single IPL match. Only Shikhar Dhawan has scored more in a match—27 off 16 balls in 2016.

Top scorers against Bumrah in a single IPL game:

Making an IMPACT with INTENT 👊

Karun Nair takes on Jasprit Bumrah to reach his #TATAIPL FIFTY after 7⃣ years 💙

Updates ▶ https://t.co/sp4ar866UD#DCvMI | @DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/C7a59EkjxD

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2025

Domestic Form That Demanded a Comeback

Karun Nair’s return wasn’t by luck—it was earned through consistent brilliance in domestic cricket. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he piled up 779 runs in just 8 innings at a staggering average of 389.50, including five centuries. In the Ranji Trophy, he continued his stellar form, scoring 863 runs at an average of 53.93, with four more centuries. Recognizing his form and experience, Delhi Capitals secured him in the 2025 auction for INR 50 lakhs—a move that’s already paying dividends.

Karun Nair’s comeback story is not just inspiring it’s a statement. At 33, many had written him off, but with one explosive knock, he’s shown why class is permanent. As the IPL 2025 season heats up, Delhi Capitals and fans across the country will be hoping that this is just the beginning of a dream run for the Karnataka batter.