The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was buzzing with anticipation as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) hosted Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 55th match of IPL 2025. With playoff hopes hanging by a thread for both teams, SRH skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to field first, hoping to make early inroads against a DC side desperate to regain form and momentum. The stakes were high, the atmosphere electric, and Cummins wasted no time in delivering a moment to remember.

Karun Nair falls for a golden duck facing Pat Cummins spectacular delivery

Cummins set the tone for SRH with a sensational first ball of the match. Cummins delivered a back-of-a-length ball in the corridor outside off, extracting just enough movement off the seam. Karun nairopening for DC, was drawn into a tentative push away from his body, feet rooted and hands reaching. The ball kissed the outside edge of Nair’s bat and flew safely into the gloves of Ishan kishan behind the stumps. The Hyderabad crowd erupted as Nair’s lean run continued, departing for a golden duck and giving SRH the perfect start. The delivery was a classic example of Cummins’ skill-pace, bounce, and subtle movement-making it a near-unplayable ball first up. The early breakthrough sent a surge of energy through the SRH camp, with Cummins leading from the front and the stands roaring in approval.

From blazing start to batting nightmare of Nair’s IPL 2025 slump

Nair’s IPL 2025 campaign began with a bang, smashing a blistering 89 off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians-a knock that made headlines and raised hopes of a revival in his T20 career. However, since that explosive innings, Nair’s form has nosedived dramatically. In his next six outings, he has managed just 65 runs, with scores of 0 (vs Rajasthan Royals), 31 (vs Gujarat Titans), 15 (vs Lucknow Super Giants), 4 (vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru), 15 (vs Kolkata Knight Riders), and now 0 (vs SRH).

This string of low scores has dragged his season average down to 22.00, with his only fifty coming in that memorable knock against MI. The golden duck against SRH was his second of the season, highlighting a worrying trend for both Nair and the Capitals’ top order. Once hailed for his ability to anchor and accelerate, Nair’s current run underscores the unforgiving nature of T20 cricket-where fortunes can change in a matter of days.

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