In their pivotal IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 5, the Delhi Capitals sent Karun Nair to open over Abhishek Porel, leaving former Australia cricketer Shane Watson perplexed.

Watson pointed out the needless change to DC's starting lineup and criticized their tactics in what was a match they had to win to advance in the playoffs.

Nair replaced Porel, who opened in the last game against the Kolkata Knight Riders, at the top of the order as DC selected their sixth different opening duo of the season in Hyderabad. When SRH captain Pat Cummins ejected Nair on the opening ball of the game, the plan instantly backfired.

Watson criticised DC for overcomplicating things with constant changes in their top order, calling the decision to promote Nair over Porel unnecessary.

"Something as simple as randomly changing the opening combination—for no apparent reason—was just not needed. I was genuinely surprised. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw Karun Nair walk out to open with Faf du Plessis. That move made no sense.

Whatever the thinking was in the Delhi Capitals’ camp, I think they got that one completely wrong. When you start chopping and changing positions like that, it suggests there's no clarity in roles. Even if players aren't consciously overthinking, decisions like this can make them second-guess what’s going on," Watson said on Star Sports.

Important knocks by Vipraj Nigam (18), Tristan Stubbs (41* off 36), and impact sub Ashutosh Sharma (41 off 26) rescued DC from 62/6 and pushed them to 133/7 in 20 overs. Then the rain saved them as the match was called off, giving both DC and SRH one point.