Back in November 2024, the moment Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched Ishan Kishan in the mega auction, he reached for his phone. His first call was to Abhishek Sharma.
Kishan: What are you guys expecting? Do I need to come in and smash every ball?
Abhishek: Bang on! That’s exactly your job.
In cricket, timing is everything — not just with the bat, but in life too. SRH had been chasing Kishan for a while. Before the 2022 season, they went as high as ₹15 crore for him before stepping back when Mumbai Indians took him for ₹15.25 crore — the costliest buy that season.
Had MI not raised that paddle, that phone call to Abhishek might’ve sounded completely different. Back then, Abhishek was still finding his feet, and SRH were far from crafting the aggressive batting identity they flaunt today.
Fast forward to his SRH debut — a Sunday evening in Hyderabad, a sea of orange demanding fireworks — and timing was finally on Kishan’s side. On just his third ball, he punched a four straight over Maheesh Theekshana’s head, fitting right into the most explosive top order in the league. He had a live masterclass in Travis Head at the other end, and a handy batting highlight from his friend Abhishek, who had just blazed a 24 off 11 balls.
SRH’s big question after their risky highs in 2024 was simple: could they sustain this relentless aggression without exposing cracks for opponents to exploit? In Kishan, they found their answer.
Theekshana tried to push back in the PowerPlay, shortening his length and baiting Kishan to cut into a packed off-side. But Kishan played smart — finding gaps, going over fielders, and driving SRH to a blistering 94/1 by the end of the PowerPlay.
Riyan Parag could finally breathe at the end of that phase, but the respite was short-lived. Even with a spread field, Kishan kept finding ways to punish. He upper-cut Sandeep Sharma’s wide slower bouncer beyond deep point and went on to add to Jofra Archer’s misery, who ended up with the worst-ever IPL figures of 0/76. Kishan toyed with lengths and angles — pulling one ball over fine leg, then stepping across to launch the very next delivery over cover for six, racing to a 25-ball fifty. He saluted his family in the stands and immediately refocused on dismantling the next bowler in line: Fazalhaq Farooqi.
RR bowlers tried to trap him with slower deliveries and wide yorkers, hoping to force mishits towards the longer boundaries. But Kishan didn’t bite. He stayed composed, picked his spots, and reached his maiden IPL century in just 45 balls.
His freedom to attack came from two things: a perfect batting paradise at home, and a management group that wanted him to swing without fear.
“It’s not that I’m saying this just because I got a hundred, but honestly, when I came here, the message was clear — if the ball is there, just go for it. Have fun, enjoy the moment,” Kishan said after his knock.
After an 18-month rough patch — losing his BCCI central contract and falling out of favor in all three India squads — Kishan was finally back doing what he loves. Fearless. Free. And on point.
