On March 23, 2025, Ishan Kishan made a dazzling statement in his debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 by scoring an unbeaten century against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The match, held at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad, showcased Kishan's extraordinary talents and ended with a resounding victory for SRH, who posted a mammoth total of 286 runs, the second-highest score in IPL history, and won by 44 runs.
Kishan's innings of 106 not out off just 47 balls set the stage for a performance that turned heads across the cricketing world, with former England captain Michael Vaughan commenting on Kishan's exuberant celebration after reaching the three-figure mark. Vaughan suggested that Kishan's wild jubilation was not merely an expression of joy but a pointed message to selectors and to the Mumbai Indians team he had left behind after a challenging previous season. "That celebration wasn’t just a celebration for three figures. That was a celebration maybe to Mumbai, maybe to the chairman of selectors, maybe to Rohit Sharma, maybe to the whole of India, maybe to the whole of the world. He’s a wonderfully balanced player," Vaughan remarked on Cricbuzz.
Prior to this match, Kishan had faced a disappointing stint with MI in IPL 2024, managing only 320 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 148. However, his fortunes took a dramatic turn in the 2025 season opener. Former New Zealand seamer Simon Doull noted that Kishan's strong performance was partly due to his change of environment, stating, "For him, sometimes you just need a change. You just need a change in environment. We talked about how dysfunctional that Mumbai setup was last year."
Indeed, Kishan's success this season signals a significant transformation. After the match, he revealed that his celebrations were dedicated to his family, reflecting a personal milestone: "It was mostly for all the loved ones who were there, who were supporting me throughout those middle phases when I was just doing my hard work. So it was a special message and my brother was sitting there," he said in the post-match press conference.
This century was not only significant for SRH but also marked Kishan’s first IPL hundred, making the moment even more special. His impact was evident as he raced to fifty in just 25 balls and achieved his century in merely 20 more deliveries. His explosive batting led SRH to a commanding performance, eclipsing the RR with relative ease.
The clash also highlighted the resilience of RR's batsmen, with Sanju Samson scoring 66 and Dhruv Jurel adding 70 runs to the team’s total. However, the required run rate became insurmountable, leading RR to succumb to SRH's impressive performance.
Harbhajan Singh, a cricketing icon, emphasized that the Mumbai Indians had made a significant error by dropping Kishan, who he believes is a formidable player in the league. Singh stated, "I felt MI lost twice today. They lost their game, and the player (Ishan) they left played a sensational knock for SRH. This team is the most dangerous. Ishan made a comeback and showed everyone his true capability. He made me his fan," he added, underscoring the contrast in fortunes between the two teams on the day.
Kishan leads the Orange Cap standings after this game, proudly sitting atop the leader board with a strike rate of 225.53. Hot on his heels is Lucknow Super Giants’ Nicholas Pooran, who also made an impact by scoring 75 off 30 balls against Delhi Capitals, emphasizing the competition in this year’s IPL.
This dramatic comeback comes in stark contrast to Kishan’s struggles and lack of opportunities just months prior when he was dropped from both the national team and the Mumbai Indians. Reflecting on this turbulent period, he thanked his coach and teammates for their support. “Pat (Cummins) and the coach gave me a lot of confidence. The atmosphere is very calm. I enjoyed my innings on the field," Kishan conveyed after receiving the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, many eyes will undoubtedly remain on Ishan Kishan as he not only seeks to solidify his place in SRH but potentially re-establish himself within the national team framework. His momentum from this explosive opening match sets a high bar for the remainder of the season.
While Kishan's successful debut reinforces his considerable talent, it also raises strategic questions about team compositions and player selections moving forward as both SRH and other franchises look to harness their strengths in this high-stakes tournament. The early indications suggest that this season may be one of the most competitive yet, with players like Kishan leading by example and thrilling fans with their performances.
