![Karun Nair [Source: AP Photos]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1746455146164_karun_nair.jpg?type=mq)
Karun Nair [Source: AP Photos]
Karun Nair, the second triple centurion for Indian in Test cricket caught the eyes of everyone with his Tweet in Decemeber 2022 that stated - 'Dear Cricket, give me one more chance'. Cricket finally answered his prayer as he got the chance to showcase himself in IPL during the MI match, replace Jake Fraser-McGurk in the side. He made a promising return, but failed to hold onto his performances.
A Spectacular Beginning
The Indian batter made a dramatic retun to IPL cricket. It was heartening to see the class he showed during his knock of 89 runs from just 40 deliveries. Scoring runs at a strike of 222.50, it looked like Nair is ready to upgrade himself to the highest level of cricketing competition this time.
The Inevitable Decline
Unfortunatley for Indian cricket and Karun Nair himself what followed was a textbook case of diminishing returns. His 89 was followed by 31 in the third appearance but after that he has failed to go past the 30-mark in the next four innings.
The Cold Numbers
The statistics tell the unforgiving story of Nair's return: After 7 innings, he managed 154 runs at an average of 22.00. While his strike rate remained impressive at 175.00, this was largely inflated by his single exceptional innings. Remove the Mumbai Indians performance, and the numbers become decidedly ordinary, reflecting a player struggling to find consistency.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Balls | Strike Rate |
| 13 Apr | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 89 | 40 | 222.5 |
| 16 Apr | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 19 Apr | Gujarat Titans (GT) | 31 | 18 | 172.22 |
| 22 Apr | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 15 | 9 | 166.67 |
| 27 Apr | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | 4 | 4 | 100 |
| 29 Apr | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 15 | 13 | 115.38 |
| 05 May | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Missed Opportunity
Karun Nair's comeback story serves as a sobering reminder that in professional cricket, second chances are precious but fleeting. Despite domestic form that earned him another shot at the IPL, Nair failed to capitalize on his brilliant start. The very cricket that granted his wish for one more chance has rendered its verdict through the impartial language of performance statistics.
For players seeking redemption, Nair's journey demonstrates that getting an opportunity is only half the battle – sustaining performance is what ultimately determines success. The tweet may have gone viral, but unfortunately for Nair, his IPL 2025 revival failed to follow suit.
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
