Karun Nair’s Blazing 89 in Vain as Delhi Capitals Collapse After His Dismissal; Mumbai Indians Clinch Crucial Win

Karun Nair played a knock that deserved to end in victory-but cricket, as always, had other plans. Chasing a competitive total against the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals were in control for the majority of the innings thanks to a spectacular 89 off 40 balls from Karun. However, the moment he was dismissed, Delhi’s innings fell apart like a pack of cards, handing Mumbai a crucial win well before the final over.

Fraser-McGurk Falls Early, But Top Order Stabilizes

The chase began with Jason Fraser-McGurk falling for a golden duck-a continuation of his lean patch. But the rest of the top order stepped up. They played with intent, rotated strike smartly, and ensured the required run rate never got out of hand.

Delhi were ticking along nicely-not explosive, but composed-and Karun Nair’s arrival only lifted the momentum.

Karun Nair Goes Berserk

Karun was in another zone. Right from ball one, he looked in total command-dismissing bowlers with ease, picking gaps at will, and clearing boundaries like it was second nature. His 89 off 40 was a masterclass-a blend of elegance and aggression that kept the scoreboard racing and had Mumbai on the ropes.

The way he read the game, targeted bowlers, and manipulated the field made it seem like Delhi had one hand on the win.

But Then… The Collapse

As soon as Karun was dismissed, everything unraveled. Delhi lost their rhythm, batters came and went with soft dismissals, and what looked like a straightforward chase turned into a dramatic collapse. The panic was visible-poor shot selection, pressure mounting, and no one to anchor the innings in Karun’s absence.

From cruising to crumbling — it was a collapse that cost them the game.

Mumbai Hold Their Nerve

Mumbai Indians, never short on composure, pounced on the opening. They didn’t need magic-just discipline. Their bowlers stuck to the basics and finished the job clinically, sealing the win with several balls to spare and sending Delhi back to the drawing board.

Karun Nair’s Knock: A Statement to the Selectors

This was no ordinary innings. Karun has been consistently dominating domestic cricket, and now, he’s brought that form into the IPL — and how! The 89 wasn’t just a good knock — it was a warning bell to selectors.

Karun Nair isn’t knocking on the door anymore. He’s banging it down with performances that are impossible to ignore.