NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rampage at the crease nearly had Ishan Kishan speechless. The 15-year-old, playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, unleashed a barrage of big hits that kept clearing the boundary with startling ease as the game unfolded in front of him. Sooryavanshi struck again and again, scoring his second IPL century with a sensational knock of 103 off just 37 balls against the Pat Cummins-led SRH.
His innings set the tone for a chase at a breathtaking tempo, as he raced to the third-fastest hundred in IPL history. The milestone was reached in 36 deliveries, and the momentum he created helped Rajasthan Royals post a commanding 228/6.
Still, SRH had the last word. They hunted down the 229-run target with nine balls remaining to complete a thrilling turnaround. Ishan Kishan carried much of the responsibility, making 74 off 31 balls, while Abhishek Sharma contributed a rapid 57 from 29 deliveries. Together, they guided Hyderabad to 229/5 in 18.3 overs.
The evening in Jaipur was not only about runs and pace, but also about a light-hearted exchange that offered a glimpse into how the game can connect generations. After the match, Ishan revealed that he had a conversation with the teenage hitter during the contest, listening as Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting took over the stadium.
Ishan explained that the talk was as much about the intensity of the innings as it was about the stakes. “I was just telling him about the kind of madness with which he is batting and how he is hitting. Sometimes, you are even scared thinking about what the scorecard could have looked like if he had stayed for a few more overs,” Ishan said.
He then added that dismissing the youngster became crucial as the Royals’ total climbed. “So, it was important for us to get his wicket. It was 228, it could have easily been 258. Cricket is all about comebacks. We got him out and made a little comeback there. That’s what I told him—‘When I am playing against you, please go a little easy on my team. I know all your secrets and inside stories,’” Ishan joked.
Ishan’s comeback story
For Ishan, the match also underlined how far he has come. His spell away from the Indian setup was clearly frustrating, but the left-handed batter kept working relentlessly in domestic cricket, waiting for his opening—and making sure he seized it when the chance came.
Earlier this year, he returned to Team India for the T20I series against New Zealand and then carried that momentum into the T20 World Cup. The recall followed a stand-out domestic season in which he captained Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, accumulating more than 500 runs.
Looking back on that period, Ishan said he made a conscious decision not to dwell on the absence and instead concentrated on becoming more consistent. “When I wasn’t playing and was out of the team, I told myself I can’t cry or sulk about it. It’s the easiest thing to do for any sportsman. It might earn you the sympathy of a few people, you might even feel good about it, but it won’t get you anywhere,” he said.
He stressed that runs were the only route back. “The only thing that could have gotten me back into the reckoning was runs. So, I just wanted to improve my game and score as many runs as I could, even if that meant hitting more sixes than any other batter,” Ishan added.
He also noted that being outside the team sharpened his hunger. “Only consistent run-scoring can bring you back into the team. If 300 runs in a season are not enough, score 400; if not that, score 500. At the end of the day, cricket is our daily bread,” he said.
In further reflection, Ishan explained that time away makes a player value every game more. “When you’re out of the team, you understand its importance and start respecting every game. You become hungrier, and that was my focus: to become the best,” he added.
Batting maturity in the chase
Batting at No. 3, Ishan showed the kind of maturity that comes from experience. In the same match, he produced a blistering 31-ball 74, steering SRH through the demanding run chase.
He explained his mindset for the position: “After having played for so many years as a No. 3 batter, if you are set, you look to score big and bat till the end. It makes the job easier for the other batters with you, as they don’t feel the pressure.”
Ishan also described his approach as keeping things simple and staying mentally focused. “That is my only thinking, to keep things as simple as I can, be in a good headspace, and just take it one match at a time. If we play good cricket, the rest of the team will learn from it.”
He concluded by reminding that success is ultimately collective. “In the end, it’s a team sport. When you play good cricket, it rubs off on the others. I have also made a lot of mistakes, so my only aim is not to repeat them, which unfortunately, I did in the end in this game,” he added.
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