CHENNAI: In a remarkable turnaround that took place in under a day, Ishan Kishan shifted from playing the defining role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s march towards an IPL playoff berth to stepping back into India’s ODI picture after nearly three years away from the format. The momentum began with a match-winning display for SRH, and it continued as he was named for India’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, a call-up that came after Rishabh Pant was left out of the squad.
Key takeaways
- Ishan Kishan’s ODI return came just a day after his Player of the Match effort for SRH against Chennai Super Kings.
- His call-up replaces Rishabh Pant for India’s three-match ODI series versus Afghanistan.
- On a slow MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch, Ishan carried SRH’s chase with a measured approach alongside Heinrich Klaasen.
- He fell in the 19th over with SRH still needing only six runs to secure a playoff spot.
- His celebrations included a gesture toward the Chepauk crowd and a follow-up Instagram post that highlighted the journey “into the playoffs.”
From SRH’s playoff push to India’s ODI squad
Just 24 hours after producing a composed “Player of the Match” knock—70 runs off 47 balls, featuring seven fours and three sixes—in SRH’s five-wicket victory over CSK, Ishan was named in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. The selection also marked an important change in the lineup, with Rishabh Pant being replaced.
There was also an ironic echo to the timing. The most recent ODI Ishan had played for India dated back to October 2023, when his appearance again came against Afghanistan—before his international run entered a turbulent phase. Since then, he followed a classic comeback path: grinding through domestic cricket, earning his way back into international contention, and eventually becoming a key part of India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup.
During that T20 World Cup campaign, the left-handed batter had spoken about being a “changed man now.” That maturity showed up in full force during Monday’s knock against CSK, where the conditions demanded patience and smart shot selection more than sheer power.
Crafting the chase on a slow Chepauk surface
Ishan came in at number three in the third over of SRH’s chase, when the ball was not coming onto the bat easily. On a surface that looked sluggish and unpredictable, he paced his innings thoughtfully, building momentum with Heinrich Klaasen. By the time he departed in the 19th over, SRH were still just six runs away from sealing their place in the playoffs.
After the match, Ishan explained that keeping on the pitch made him feel the chase would be demanding. He said he believed chasing the total of 181 would prove too steep, but as a No. 3 batter his responsibility was to stay in and help finish the job. He added that while the scenario can become difficult, games like these are won by believing in yourself—and that he tried to keep things simple until the final over.
SRH assistant coach James Franklin also praised the southpaw’s effort. The Kiwi coach said Ishan had been brilliant for the franchise throughout the IPL season, and that this was likely his strongest innings of the campaign so far. Franklin noted that the match-day conditions were unlike the flatter tracks SRH often face, and he felt the batters had to build their innings differently. In his view, Ishan’s knock stood out for its maturity.
Celebration turns into a message
As SRH pushed CSK close, Ishan added another emotional edge with a whistle-blowing celebration directed towards the Chepauk crowd. He then cheekily signalled the yellow-clad supporters towards the exits. The moment spread quickly online and triggered plenty of banter across social media.
Later that night, he intensified the storyline on Instagram. His caption read: “Only thing louder than the whistles was the bat. Into the playoffs.”
