Experienced batter Karun Nair got his one more chance at the Indian Premier League (IPL) after three years and he made it count as an 'impact player' with a destructive 40-ball 89. Nair was up for the Jasprit Bumrah challenge and hit him for 26 runs from just nine balls. During the game, he had an altercation with Bumrah as well when he bumped into the bowler. Despite his first IPL half-century in seven years, DC lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) by 12 runs. After the game, Nair opened up on facing Bumrah.
“Obviously, I was confident, and I was playing; I was in the flow, and I didn’t want to stop the flow, so it was about picking the right balls and playing to the areas that I wanted to play, and he is the best bowler at the moment in world cricket, so I had to be very watchful of where he is going to bowl, but again, I just backed myself and backed the areas that I wanted to score," Nair said in the post-match press conference.
Nair on being 'mentally' ready
Nair, who is going through a purple patch across formats, said that he was mentally ready to capitalise on the opportunity as he replaced an injured Faf du Plessis in the side.
“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. 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," the 33-year-old said.
Nair rues lack of partnerships
Nair rued DC losing wickets at regular intervals as it was not easy for the new batter to go after the bowling from ball one. From 135/2 in the 12th over, they were bowled out for 193 in 19 overs. He credited MI bowlers for putting them under pressure as well
“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," Nair said.
“We were not able to stitch partnerships, which is important in T20. But that happens because we are all looking to score runs quickly, and like I said before, it’s a learning, and we have to take this forward in the next games and keep up the winning momentum that we have," he added.
The Axar Patel-led side slipped to the second position as their net run rate (NRR) took a hit. They will go up against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 16 at home.