Punjab Kings produced the biggest successful chase in IPL history, reaching 265 against Delhi Capitals in Delhi. Yet amid the celebration, Karun Nair’s evening became a story of heartbreaking missed chances—most notably two dropped catches from Shreyas Iyer within four deliveries, both of which swung momentum at critical moments. The first let-off arrived on the last ball of the 15th over, after Vipraj Nigam coaxed Iyer into a mistimed lofted shot toward long-off. Nair got under the ball comfortably, but the catch slipped away, drawing an immediate reaction from Nigam as he dropped to the ground in disbelief. The second escape followed just four balls later: on the second delivery of the 16th over, Kuldeep Yadav beat Iyer with a wrong’un, the ball taking the top edge and flying toward long-on. Again Nair was set under it, but once more he couldn’t hold on, and the game continued to slip away from Delhi.
Two drops that changed the game’s balance
After the second missed chance, Nair appeared rattled—visibly shaken and close to tears—as Delhi allowed Punjab Kings to build momentum from reprieve after reprieve. With Iyer surviving those moments, the chase gained a new rhythm and intensity. Instead of ending the threat, Delhi’s fielding errors handed Punjab Kings the platform they needed to press forward.
- 15th over (final ball): Vipraj Nigam induced a mistimed loft from Shreyas Iyer toward long-off; Karun Nair settled under it but spilled the catch.
- 16th over (second ball): Kuldeep Yadav used a wrong’un to get Iyer’s top edge; the ball ballooned toward long-on, and Nair again failed to take the catch.
Iyer’s revival and Punjab’s historic chase
Iyer made full use of those lifelines, turning the reprieves into a match-winning innings. He struck a knock of 71 off 36 balls and steered Punjab Kings home with seven balls to spare—completing what would ultimately stand as a landmark chase in IPL history. The contrast was stark: for Nair, those two errors were moments he would have wanted to reclaim, while for Punjab Kings, they became turning points that kept the chase alive.
Ashwin backs Nair with a measured explanation
Despite the costly fielding setbacks, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered support to Nair, suggesting that factors beyond simple skill can sometimes influence performances. Speaking on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat,” Ashwin outlined how players who are not initially in the playing XI often manage their preparation differently—possibly leading to mental and physical fatigue when they suddenly step into the match intensity.
- Ashwin said that when a player knows they are not part of the playing XI, they typically find out at least a day in advance.
- He added that dropped or rested players often hit the gym or do extra training on match days, accounting for travel and limited practice time.
- He suggested it’s possible Nair may have been mentally “switched off” (while noting it might not be the right phrase) or simply fatigued from training routines.
- He emphasized he was not making excuses, but that a substitute stepping into high-pressure cricket can face such situations.
- Ashwin stated the confidence impact was immediate—after the first dropped chance, Nair’s confidence appeared to plummet.
- He also praised Nair as a capable fielder, saying he has seen him reliable in first-class and red-ball cricket, particularly in close-in roles.
- Ashwin concluded that he rarely sees Nair drop catches like that, but that the night was one of those days.
