After an unforgettable domestic cricket season, Karun Nair returns to the IPL in a fiery fashion as his stormy batting disrupted strong Mumbai Indians bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah.

The 33-year-old Karun Nair made his IPL return after two years, as he was the impact sub for Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians in Delhi during the 29th match of the IPL 2025. The no.3 batter came to the crease on the second ball after the DC opener Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for a golden duck. 

Karun Nair makes IPL comeback with his highest IPL score

IPL 2025 unbeaten side Delhi Capitals was chasing the 206-run target. It was Karun Nair who started to bash Mumbai Indians bowlers to make the chasing story incredible. At the end of the powerplay, Nair's fiery batting made the hosts the little favourite in the high chase, as Delhi Capitals scored 72/1 in six overs, and Nair scored 50 runs in 22 balls with eight fours and two sixes.  

It was Nair's first IPL half-century in seven years (last time recorded in 2018), while he also missed out on the last two IPL seasons. After the powerplay, his boundary hitting was at rest for sometimes, but he fired back from the tenth over. Before Mitchell Santner dismissed Nair, the right-handed batter slammed a six and four fours in the previous five straight balls. Nair scored 89 runs off 40 balls with the help of 12 fours and five sixes. It was also his highest score in his IPL career, while his previous best was 83 not out in the IPL 2016. 

See Also: Devdutt Padikkal becomes second batter to score 1000 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL

Jasprit Bumrah vs Karun Nair: 26 runs in 9 balls in powerplay

Even Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult had no clue how to stop Nair. Nair slammed 26 runs off nine balls to Bumrah in the powerplay, including hitting three fours and two sixes. Nair also hit three fours to Boult in the powerplay. 

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

KARUN NAIR SMASHING THE GREATEST BOWLER OF THIS ERA 🥶 pic.twitter.com/xk3a6uRUN3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 13, 2025

KARUN NAIR SMASHED AN IPL FIFTY AFTER 7 YEARS..!!!

- 50* from just 22 balls against Mumbai Indians, What a knock 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oXVutPZ1tt

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 13, 2025

Karun Nair here you go🔥 pic.twitter.com/Adsj9KFGS5

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) April 13, 2025

Nothing but Respect for Karun Nair 🙌

A true fighter Karun for Delhi Capitals.#DCvsMI #KarunNair #MIvsDC pic.twitter.com/Ca2bHWOFDL

— Ashutosh Srivastava (@Sri_Ashutosh008) April 13, 2025

Karun Nair — A Silent Warrior Who Lets His Bat Speak!
Underrated,
Unstoppable,
Undeniably talented.
Keep shining, champ. ❣️#KarunNair👏👏#DCvsMI #MIvsDC pic.twitter.com/kbsFluwwRY

— HEEBA KHAN (@HeebaKhan86) April 13, 2025

Karun Nair ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/085arkkV1V

— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) April 13, 2025

Nothing but Respect for Karun Nair🙌

A true fighter! pic.twitter.com/Oe3jrf8Vzo

— कट्टर KKR समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) April 13, 2025

Karun Nair reaction after match https://t.co/0f6nBFZa0L pic.twitter.com/gecb4qKaiw

— Harishwar Reddy (@ReddyMnc16) April 13, 2025

Karun nair :

-Made 303 in test cricket but dropped
- faced almost death ☠️ in 2016
- not played IPL for 2 season's

Today he made a dream comeback with mighty Mumbai Indians 🔥 pic.twitter.com/24hvTDDL3m

— 𝗗𝗥𝗔GON 🐲🐉 (@DragonMovie9999) April 13, 2025

Karun Nair, welcome back to the IPL.
No noise. No drama. Just pure cricket and hunger.#DCvsMI #MIvsDC pic.twitter.com/lyOkDvgwE2

— Chai_Sutta (@Chai_SuttaGuy) April 13, 2025

Karun Nair is showing all of us why playing domestic cricket & current form is so so important 👏

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 13, 2025