India, April 20 -- Karun Nair didn't walk into IPL 2025 with the momentum of a recent international stint or the luxury of a settled role in Delhi Capitals' top-order. But he brought experience, self-belief, and the weight of 1870 domestic runs across formats for Vidarbha this season. It was enough for a man who had been away from the league for two seasons to convince the franchise that he still belonged.

Thrown in at No. 3 in a stiff chase of 206 against Mumbai Indians last week, Karun responded with a masterful 40-ball 89 that nearly carried DC home. He smashed Jasprit Bumrah for two sixes in an over; no mean feat even for the most established T20 players. On Saturday, the Capitals pushed him to open against the Gujarat Titans, and ag...