SRH captain Ishan Kishan pointed to the gritty stand between Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy as the key reason Sunrisers Hyderabad stayed in contention, even as they suffered a narrow loss to Lucknow Super Giants in a nail-biting last-over contest at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Lucknow chased 157 to win by five wickets with one ball left, but Hyderabad pushed the visitors right to the final over after recovering from an early batting wobble and fighting hard with both discipline and intent.
Kishan on the fightback, the chase, and what comes next
- Kishan said he was pleased with the manner in which his side showed resilience, praising the partnership that gave Hyderabad a lifeline after their top order faltered.
- He credited Hyderabad’s bowling effort for keeping things on track, saying the attack executed the plan in the right areas while the fielders added significant value through their pressure-building work.
- Reflecting on the tight nature of games in the IPL, Kishan noted that even a small shift—such as one or two boundary moments—can swing the outcome, yet he felt the team did well to take the contest down to the final over.
- He also highlighted the importance of the recovery with the bat, explaining that losing four wickets early puts extra strain on the remaining batsmen, but Klaasen and Nitish ensured the total was pushed deep enough to remain competitive.
- While praising that rescue act, Kishan admitted SRH still needs improvement in batting overall, pointing to the pattern of matches where the team has struggled to post imposing scores and made chases easier for opponents.
- During Lucknow’s run chase, Kishan said Hyderabad’s strategy was to limit singles and force errors, but Rishabh Pant’s calm and composed approach proved decisive in helping Lucknow manage the target.
- He stressed that the chasing plan only works if the batting unit handles pressure well, adding that Pant’s execution deserved credit as he was effective in the chase.
- In the later phase of Lucknow’s innings, Hyderabad changed their bowling options in search of breakthroughs, and Kishan said those choices were driven mainly by instinct during a high-pressure period.
- Looking back at what ultimately swung the momentum, Kishan pointed to a late surge of boundaries in the 17th over, describing how a handful of big hits can quickly alter the complexion of a match.
- Even in defeat, he singled out pacer Harshal Patel for his performance during the tense closing stages, saying the team wants him to bowl with that same quality moving forward.
Earlier in the evening, Hyderabad had set the foundation for the fightback by finishing on 156/9 after a recovery from a poor start. The hosts were 35/4 at one stage, but Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy forged a crucial century stand that steadied the innings and ultimately allowed SRH to post a total worth defending in a pressure-filled chase.
Kishan’s comments summed up the storyline of the match: Hyderabad’s bowlers and fielders brought the contest to the final over, but a late shift created by boundaries in Lucknow’s chase proved decisive. Still, with Harshal’s closing overs and the Klaasen–Nitish rescue as bright spots, SRH will now focus on turning their batting starts into consistently larger totals in future games.
