IPL 2025 | "It’s about peaking at the right time": Karun Nair ahead of SRH clash

It’s a high-stakes match for Delhi Capitals. They have had a few setbacks in the last few matches and slipped down to fifth place. Therefore, a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday will boost their chances in the Playoffs race.

Currently with 12 points, DC have four matches remaining, including this one against SRH. DC have tasted three defeats in four matches at home. The Axar Patel-led team will be keen to regain their winning momentum.

Experienced batter Karun Nair said they had a good  break from this game: “As a team, we have to reset and go back to the things that we were doing well. It’s about peaking at the right time and this is the perfect time to start.”

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There were a few batting concerns, particularly against Kolkata Knight Riders, as Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma were out cheaply. The left-handed Porel has been in good touch, though. However, Nair has not been able to put up big scores in the last few matches. Faf du Plessis was the top scorer against KKR with 62 off 45 balls and skipper Axar has played an important role in the middle order. 

On the flat wicket here, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Mukesh Kumar, Vipraj Singh, Axar and Kuldeep Yadav have a big challenge in this crucial fixture.

For the home fans, there is nothing much to cheer about. A win at Chennai and a good break from the game in Maldives did not help SRH’s cause against Gujarat Titans as they  succumbed to their seventh defeat of the season and are on the brink of elimination, in ninth place. 

SRH coach Daniel Vettori said there are still 11 really good players that will take the park. “They’ve all had huge amounts of success, whether it be in IPL or in their international careers, and also at some stage throughout the season. So, we’ll lean on that and hope that they can make a difference tomorrow.”

Mohammed Shami has been a disappointment for SRH and continues to leak runs in a big way. Vettori opined that Shami trained and prepared as well as he can. 

“I know that he had high expectations coming into the tournament based on how well he bowled in the Champions Trophy. If you look back two seasons ago, he was obviously the purple cap winner. So, we know that he’s been able to perform in IPL in the past and it just hasn’t come together for him this season.”

This article first appeared on Mid Day