Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan delivered a calm-but-bold display as his side edged past Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in a high-octane chase of 229. Named Player of the Match after scoring 74 off 31 balls, Kishan stressed that captaincy responsibilities had not altered his natural rhythm—he kept his focus on wicketkeeping duties and on attacking the right balls. SRH’s chase didn’t just come together; it arrived with intent, powered by a key stand with Abhishek Sharma and finished with nine balls remaining, in a result that ranks among the biggest successful chases in IPL history.
Key takeaways
- Ishan Kishan earned Player of the Match honours for his 31-ball 74 during SRH’s five-wicket victory over Rajasthan.
- He said taking on captaincy briefly did not change his approach, as he aimed to keep wicketkeeping and batting simple and effective.
- SRH chased 229 successfully with nine balls to spare, highlighted by a 132-run partnership between Kishan and Abhishek.
- Abhishek Sharma’s 57 came off 29 balls, while Heinrich Klaasen (29) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (36) helped close out the chase.
- Kishan pointed to the importance of a strong powerplay while chasing 228, with effective communication between batters.
- Rajasthan had set the target of 228/6 earlier, boosted by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 103 off 15 years.
Kishan on leadership, batting freedom and keeping it simple
Speaking after the win, Kishan was clear that leadership had not forced him to change his mindset at the crease. He highlighted that the wicketkeeper role still demands the same discipline and preparation, and that his job remained straightforward: keep things simple behind the stumps and apply aggression where possible with the bat. With SRH having set a clear plan to keep Rajasthan under the 230-run mark, he emphasised that the wicket offered plenty of runs and SRH tried to execute that intent.
On handing back captaincy duties to Pat Cummins, Kishan expressed genuine admiration for the Australian skipper. He described the experience of leading for seven matches as enjoyable, but also made it clear he was pleased to see Cummins return—citing the additional bowling strength and leadership quality he brings. Kishan added that, once Cummins came in, his own attention naturally shifted more toward batting and wicketkeeping rather than tactical captaincy.
SRH’s batting approach against the Rajasthan bowling attack, in Kishan’s view, relied on confidence and clarity. He stressed the need to keep watching the ball closely, play shots without hesitation, and avoid getting trapped in a fear-of-failure mindset. For him, the key was maintaining focus on the process rather than overthinking outcomes.
Chasing 229: powerplay importance and the platform partnership
Kishan also discussed the challenge of chasing a rising total early in the innings, underlining that a good powerplay is essential when the target sits around 228-plus. He pointed out that having openers like Head and Abhishek makes the chase easier, even if they bat for only four overs. In his telling, Abhishek had a clear understanding of how the game was unfolding and the required run rate, and Kishan said he was actively communicating to keep momentum and decision-making sharp.
The turning point came through a crucial 132-run partnership between Kishan and Abhishek after SRH were set the demanding target of 229. Abhishek struck 57 off 29 balls, injecting pace into the chase and setting a foundation that SRH could build on rather than chase from scratch. Later, Heinrich Klaasen contributed 29 and Nitish Kumar Reddy added 36, ensuring SRH crossed the finish line with nine balls remaining.
Rajasthan’s 228/6 and Kishan’s calm-at-the-crease mindset
Earlier in the day, Rajasthan Royals posted 228 for 6, driven by a remarkable century from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The innings stood out for its speed and impact, with Sooryavanshi smashing 103 off just 15-year-old age, setting a chase that looked intimidating on paper. Despite the pressure that comes with such a total, SRH held their nerve, with Kishan and Abhishek establishing the early platform that made the chase look manageable and then ultimately decisive.
Kishan further described his mindset while batting, explaining that calmness is not a mood—it’s a skill. He said the goal is to watch the ball rather than walk into the innings with preconceived ideas, and that a big ground can create gaps to exploit. His advice to himself was simple: bat, enjoy the contest, and trust the execution.
When asked whether this represented the best phase of his career, Kishan quickly played it down. He insisted that his best is still to come, leaving the door open for further growth after a standout performance in a chase of historic scale.
