Ishan Kishan described the motivation behind his match-winning innings as something much bigger than a routine chase, after Sunrisers Hyderabad confirmed their IPL 2026 playoff spot with a five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday. Kishan made 70 off 47 balls as SRH successfully chased 181, but what lingered for him after the game was the emotional weight of the moment for his family.
Speaking after the match, the left-hander said his cousin—who had been coping with a recent family loss—was in the stands, and that presence became the spark for his performance. Kishan explained that the innings felt personal because it represented something the family could share together, even amid grief. “Sometimes I feel it’s also about motivation, and for me, my motivation was today. My cousin is just standing there—he lost his sister. It has been a tough time in our family, and they are watching the match for the first time here,” Kishan said. “So I just wanted to finish the game for them. I’m glad they were here to witness this innings, and I was able to finish this game.”
Patience and reading a difficult Chepauk pitch
Kishan also explained that the challenge at Chepauk was visible even before he fully got into the rhythm, with the wicket offering grip while still making scoring uncomfortable. He pointed to the way the surface behaved and how it influenced the chase, especially once the spinners came into play and slowed the tempo. “When I was wicketkeeping, I just felt this wicket is not easy. I still felt chasing this total is going to be a bit too much because the wicket was not at all easy, especially when spinners were bowling and those slow balls working out very well,” he said.
Batting at No. 3, Kishan believed his job was to give the innings a steady base, particularly with the end overs approaching. He said the team needed someone to stay long enough to keep the chase on track, while also understanding that late batters often find it harder to pick up singles and still clear the ropes. “My job was to just try and finish the game because batters coming in, especially at the back end, it’s difficult for them to take singles and score boundaries. So I had to just play till the last over,” he added.
The chase ultimately shifted in SRH’s favour through Kishan’s 75-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen, a stand that helped them keep the target within reach. Even with the pressure of a playoff race on the line, Kishan said the partnership didn’t involve complex planning or lengthy discussions—just execution. “There was no conversation to be had. We both were just playing our shots,” he said.
A calm belief that carried through
Beyond technique and numbers, Kishan described a distinct sense of confidence during the innings—something he struggled to put into words but felt throughout his time at the crease. “I was just feeling blessed from upstairs. I had that sense of power, like, yes, I can do it if I’m there for the team. We will qualify and especially, he’ll be happy about it,” Kishan said, linking his mindset to the outcome SRH needed.
SRH captain Pat Cummins praised the duo for their ability to read conditions and turn that understanding into runs. Cummins called the pitch “pretty tough” and said Kishan and Klaasen effectively chose their moments and match-ups, delivering an array of shots that changed the complexion of the chase. He highlighted how the pair played “some ridiculous shots,” reflecting both their timing and their control on a surface that demanded patience.
The win kept SRH’s momentum moving and also ensured qualification alongside Gujarat Titans, meaning the night at Chepauk carried significance on two levels. For SRH, it was another step towards the playoffs; for Kishan, it was a deeply personal innings—family grief, family support, and healing—played out in the middle of one of the season’s most important triumphs.
