Karun Nair made an Indian Premier League (IPL) appearance after 1077 days when he came on as an Impact Player for Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

The 33-year-old last played for Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2022 season.

He notched up 89 runs off 40 deliveries, his highest score in the IPL, overhauling his previous best of 83 runs which came against Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2016 season.

Nair completed his half-century in just 22 deliveries, his 11th in the IPL and the first in seven years. His last fifty in the tournament came in 2018 for Kings XI Punjab against Delhi Daredevils. He was particularly impressive against Jasprit Bumrah, picking 16 runs off his second over in boundaries.

The highlight of his essay came against Hardik Pandya when he shuffled across the stump and paddle-scooped a length delivery over short fine leg.

The right-hander was eventually nabbed by Mitchell Santner in the 12th over, whose delivery angled into the middle stump before turning square and hitting the off stump.

After a successful domestic season in 2024/25 with Vidarbha, Nair was signed by the Capitals for Rs. 50 lakh during the 2025 mega auction. Nair scored 255 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in six innings at a strike rate of 177.

He impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well, where he scored 542 runs across five innings without getting dismissed. Nair also scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy in 16 innings as Vidarbha clinched its third title.