In a thrilling start to the IPL 2025 season, Ishan Kishan made a remarkable debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by scoring his first Indian Premier League century on March 23, 2025. Kishan's astonishing performance saw him finish with a score of 106 runs not out off just 47 balls, boasting a striking strike rate of 225.53 and hitting six sixes.
The match, held against the Rajasthan Royals, showcased SRH's aggressive batting strategy, highlighted by a rapid partnership of 45 runs off only 19 balls between openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. This strong start laid the groundwork for a colossal total of 286 runs, marking it as the second-highest in IPL history, just shy of their own record of 287 runs.
Throughout the innings, Ishan Kishan’s performance captivated spectators, who had come to witness SRH's explosive style of play. According to reports, Kishan's innings was punctuated with ten boundaries, igniting the crowd and solidifying his status as a key player for the team.
SRH began their innings with Travis Head, who scored 50 runs off just 21 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Both Head and Kishan were pivotal in the innings, contributing significantly to pushing the team's total. By the halfway mark of the innings, SRH had reached 201 runs for the loss of just two wickets, a stunning display of batting prowess.
Not to be overshadowed, SRH's Nitish Kumar Reddy played an impactful innings, scoring 30 runs off 15 deliveries before being dismissed. His quickfire knock added to the mounting pressure on the Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers, and he kept up the momentum set by the openers.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals found themselves overwhelmed in response to SRH's imposing total. Despite having notable players such as Sanju Samson leading their lineup, they struggled to make significant contributions. By the end of their innings, they managed only 219 runs, falling significantly short of the target and giving SRH a substantial victory.
In terms of individual achievements, Ishan Kishan's performance has set a high bar for the rest of the 2025 IPL season. His ability to adapt quickly to the SRH style of batting will undoubtedly be a talking point among cricketers and fans alike. As Kishan celebrated his maiden century on his debut, the cricketing community looked upon him as a rising star in Indian cricket.
Pat Cummins, the captain of SRH, along with key players like Heinrich Klaasen and Abhinav Manohar, were instrumental in ensuring a dominating performance from SRH. It was also the first time since October 2021 that SRH played without the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had been a stalwart for the team.
Despite the challenges they faced, including Rajasthan's promising strategy to field a strong batting lineup, SRH held firm and showcased their depth and strength within their squad. The combination of explosive openers and a solid middle order took the match away from the Royals early on.
Looking ahead in the IPL season, fans have set their sights on continuing this momentum for SRH. With a potent blend of young talent and experienced players, the team’s ambitions for their first IPL title since 2016 appear promising as they continue to build on this impressive first outing.
Sunrisers Hyderabad clearly sent a strong message about their intent in the 2025 IPL season, and Ishan Kishan's brilliant century is a significant highlight that will spark excitement for fans and set a high pace for the remainder of the tournament.
