In an exciting lead-up to the IPL clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium, Ishan Kishan, SRH's new wicketkeeper-batter, has been vocal about the team's fearless approach to cricket. Speaking on JioHotstar's special show 'Gen Bold', Kishan shared his thoughts on the calm atmosphere at SRH, his transition from MI, and the potential for his new team to achieve a historic 300-run score.
Ishan Kishan, who made headlines with a stunning century on his SRH debut, expressed his admiration for the supportive environment in Hyderabad. "When I got here, I got those goosebumps suddenly looking at everything orange here in Hyderabad, because I was with Mumbai Indians for the last seven years. But this is a very new experience. Looking forward to it. And at the same time, looking at how Sunrisers Hyderabad is playing right now and the atmosphere I saw in the team is totally different from what I expected. There is a lot of calmness. There is a lot of clarity among everyone. Everyone is very helpful here. So I’m loving it till now," he said.
Kishan identified his favorite teammates at SRH, naming Abhishek Sharma, Abhinav Manohar, and Zeeshan Ansari. He emphasized that SRH is a bold team and believes they will excel this season. "Abhishek Sharma is a Generation Bold player. Because as soon as he goes on the pitch, he starts hitting, and we get the pressure that we also have to hit every ball now, we can't even defend a couple of balls. So I'll call him a ‘Gen Bold’ player," Kishan noted.
As SRH prepares to face MI, Kishan reflected on the concept of 'fearless cricket'. He stated, "Fearless cricket is not just about going out there and hitting every ball. It starts when your captain believes in that kind of approach for the team. I feel all the other team members are right behind him (Pat Cummins), ready to play the same way he wants us to. When your captain brings that kind of clarity to the team, it becomes easy to play fearless cricket. We just play the way we’re used to — and we’ll go in with that same approach."
The excitement around the possibility of scoring 300 runs has been palpable, especially given the batting-friendly conditions at Wankhede Stadium. Kishan commented on this ambition, saying, "When you're chasing, you have a target in mind. But when you're batting first, you just play the ball. And then you decide where you can go after the first six overs and how good you are on that wicket. So I don't want to be very particular with the score. But let's see. If we get a good start, then why not?"
Despite the team's aspirations, Kishan has faced challenges in his recent performances, scoring only 30 runs in his last five matches after a blistering 106 against Rajasthan Royals in the season opener. SRH has struggled overall, losing four of their first six matches in IPL 2025, which places them in a precarious position on the points table.
As the match against MI approaches, Kishan is eager to find his form against his former team. He joined MI as a 19-year-old in 2018 and became a key player, notably finishing as MI's top-scorer in the 2020 season with 516 runs. However, after a disappointing few seasons, he was released before the 2025 mega auction and subsequently signed by SRH for ₹11.25 crore.
In his time with MI, Kishan's journey was marked by ups and downs. He had a breakout season in 2020, but in subsequent years, he struggled to maintain his form, leading to his release. Now, he looks to redefine his career with SRH, hoping to replicate his earlier successes.
On the other side, MI, having retained their core players, is also looking to bounce back after a rocky start to the season. They currently stand seventh in the league table, just above SRH, both teams sharing four points. This rivalry is heightened by the history both teams share, and fans are eager to see how Kishan performs against his old teammates.
The match is set to kick off at 7:30 PM IST, and all eyes will be on Kishan as he seeks to make a significant impact. With the potential for high scores and the excitement surrounding the fearless cricket ethos, this encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
As the IPL continues to evolve, the emphasis on aggressive, high-scoring games becomes more pronounced. The anticipation for a 300-run match has never been higher, and with players like Kishan and Sharma leading the charge, fans can expect an exhilarating showdown.
