Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Karun Nair has failed to grab his chances with both hands in the ongoing IPL 2025. After scoring a magnificent knock of 89 runs against Mumbai Indians, Nair has failed to come up with consistent performances.
On Tuesday, against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, the right-hander was plumbed in front by Vaibhav Arora after scoring only 15 runs off 13 balls.
Nair was in tremendous domestic form ahead of the IPL but he has failed to replicate the same in the IPL. The Vidarbha captain has scored 154 runs in six matches for DC in the ongoing IPL 2025 at an average of 25.67 and a strike rate of 177.01.
“The start wasn’t good. You (KKR) played Anukul Roy for Faf du Plessis. He didn’t trap Faf but dismissed Abishek Porel. Vaibhav Arora got Karun Nair out, and I ask a question. Cricket has given you a second chance, but you are not making the most of it,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“You have played one good knock and affected one or two good run-outs, and shown a few glimpses that you can actually go on, but big knocks are not coming, and you are batting at the top of the order. You are getting a chance to bat at No. 3. Then Rahul’s run-out. I think that was the game-changing moment. When Faf and Stubbs got out, I thought this game was over,” Chopra observed.
Meanwhile, DC suffered a 14-run loss after they managed 190-9 while chasing 205 runs for the win. Chopra questioned Axar Patel’s captaincy for not using a spinner in the Powerplay overs, when KKR smashed 79 runs.
“You decided to bowl after winning the toss. Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz started to thrash you, and you didn’t show spin at all in the first six overs. You don’t bring the spinners, and that, in my opinion, was a mistake. If you had brought spinners, there would have been chances to pick up wickets. You got wickets, but it was a little too late,” he said in the same video.
The former KKR player feels the late introduction to spin meant Kuldeep Yadav could not complete his quota of four overs.
“Not getting Kuldeep to bowl his full quota of overs – big decision to make. (Mitchell) Starc had one over left last time, and this time it was Kuldeep. So there is a question for sure, as you didn’t show spin in the first six overs, and then bowled 10 consecutive overs of spin, where you have Vipraj (Malik), Axar and Kuldeep. So how will you get them to bowl all their overs?” Chopra observed.
Delhi Capitals will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Monday.
