Back in IPL after 2020, Karun Nair eyes a resurgence | Cricket News
Karun Nair (Photo Credit: X) NEW DELHI: Karun Nair is back in top-flight cricket with Delhi Capitals this IPL season. It’s been five years since he last played an IPL game. Incidentally, when his career hit its peak with a Test triple century in 2016, he was a part of the Delhi franchise. “Only thing that has changed since then is that I am a lot older now, besides it’s no more Delhi Daredevils now,” Nair said with a modest smile.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!At 33, Nair has become a hot topic in Indian cricket with nine centuries this domestic season. He has managed to resurface after being dropped by his home state Karnataka a few years ago — there’s something cold about the smile on his face now. Nair’s career started unravelling three Tests after he became the only the second Indian to score a triple century. From being one of the hottest properties in Indian cricket, he was consigned to the cold storage in six months. He was out of sight and almost out of mind till the 2024-25 domestic season happened with Vidarbha. And now, he may well be pushing his case to make a comeback in India’s rather fragile Test middle order if he is picked for the India ‘A’ tour ahead of the England Test series. “I have been playing cricket for a while, I have seen ups and downs and it’s all about how you come back from the downs and treat the ups. I have learnt how to react to those situations,” Nair said on Sunday. “Obviously it has been tough times. It is something that helped bring myself to this stage, push me for more motivation and have hunger all the time.” When most players fall by the wayside, he managed to find the motivation to go through the entire process all over again — performing in domestic cricket, earning an IPL spot and pushing for an India ‘A’ selection before getting back in national reckoning. But he doesn’t want to believe that he has reattained his peak yet.“I think I am closer but don’t know how close. That’s not my focus but it’s at the back of the mind,” he said. Nair saw dizzy heights and hit rock bottom in no time. Does that make him careful about the highs now? “No. You should be able to enjoy the highs. That’s what you work for,” was Nair’s curt reply. But it’s been a long time since he played such high intensity cricket. He is aware that it will take some more work to get used to this environment. “I will find my process and rhythm as soon as I can. I’ll like to start well early and try to get better as the tournament goes on. The only thing that I have done is play according to the situation, added a few shots and built the confidence to execute them when needed. I also now try to stay relaxed,” he claimed. He may have gone through the journey all over again, but this is not unfamiliar territory. That he will have his long-time mate KL Rahul by his side at Capitals will ease the process for him. “It is exciting to be back with KL. We have played together since our childhood. He has done well in the IPL and had a great Champions Trophy. I am happy to be back with him,” Nair said.Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
