In a remarkable debut for his new team, Ishan Kishan showcased his batting prowess by scoring an unbeaten 106 runs off just 47 balls, leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to a thrilling 44-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals on March 23, 2025. This stunning performance took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Kishan’s innings was not only a personal milestone—his first century in the Indian Premier League (IPL)—but it also helped SRH post an imposing total of 286 runs, the second-highest in IPL history, just shy of their record of 287 runs set against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru last season. As a result, SRH now holds four of the top five highest scores in the league's history.
The victory marked a significant turnaround for Kishan, who had been struggling with his form and had been dropped from the Indian national team. He attributed his success to a conversation he had with fellow SRH opener Abhishek Sharma shortly after being acquired for INR 11.25 crore (approximately USD 1.34 million) in the IPL 2025 mega auction. "I straightaway called Abhishek and asked, 'What are you guys expecting? Do I have to come and hit each and every ball?' He was like, 'On point, yeah, that is your job,'" Kishan recounted. This encouragement set the tone for his aggressive batting style throughout the match.
Kishan’s performance was accentuated by a strong partnership with Travis Head, who scored 67 runs off 31 balls, adding to the pressure on the Rajasthan bowlers. The duo put together 85 runs off just 39 balls, solidifying SRH’s position before Kishan went on to hit 11 fours and six sixes.
The match saw Kishan reach his century off just 45 balls, making it the third-fastest century for SRH, only behind Travis Head and David Warner. After reaching the milestone, Kishan celebrated with a flying kiss directed at his family members attending the match, stating, "The flying kiss was for the loved ones who were watching the game from the stands, who had supported me in the tough times last year."
Commenting on the broad team dynamics, Kishan noted that SRH’s leadership under captain Pat Cummins and coach Daniel Vettori provided the players with the freedom to express themselves without fear of repercussions. "The skipper is giving a lot of freedom to everyone. It doesn't matter if you get a lot of runs or if you get out early, as long as you are doing everything for the team, it's all fair," he said, reflecting the positive atmosphere within the squad.
However, the match was not just a win for SRH; it was a statement for Kishan, who faced difficulties in the previous IPL season and struggled to find his footing in the sport. He recalled, "Last year at this time, just prior to the IPL, I had been stripped of my BCCI central contract for seemingly not prioritizing domestic cricket. But I wasn’t thinking about those bad moments. I was focused on what I needed to do, and that was performing on the field."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested that Kishan’s lively celebration was also a subtle message aimed at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and India captain Rohit Sharma. Vaughan remarked, "That celebration wasn't just a celebration for three figures today; it was a celebration maybe to Mumbai, maybe to the chair of selectors, maybe to the whole of India."
The sentiments were echoed by another commentator, Simon Doull, who spoke about the change in environment that could have positively influenced Kishan’s resurgence. "For him, sometimes you just need a change. We talked about how dysfunctional that Mumbai setup was last year. And for him to come into this setup and perform as he did, it’s a crucial transformation," Doull expressed.
As SRH eyes their next challenge against the Lucknow Super Giants on March 27, 2025, Kishan hopes to maintain the momentum that he has built with this stellar performance. "Hopefully, this will serve as a catalyst for the rest of the season," he stated confidently after the match.
With this victory, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have solidified their position as a formidable batting side. Ishan Kishan’s debut innings stands as a testament to his resilience and determination, marking the chapter of a promising season ahead.
