Ishan Kishan lit up Hyderabad on Sunday(Mar 23), smashing his maiden hundred of the IPL 2025 season in just 45 balls during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) emphatic 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
The explosive left-hander’s unbeaten 106 off 47 deliveries not only powered SRH to a colossal 286/6—the second-highest IPL total ever—but also marked a dazzling start to his stint with his new franchise after being acquired for INR 11.25 crore in the auction.
Having stitched an 85-run stand for the 2nd wicket with Travis Head (67 off 31), Kishan unleashed a barrage of boundaries, racing to his fifty in just 26 balls. The 26-year-old kept the momentum alive, reaching his century with a six off Trent Boult in the 17th over, finishing with 11 fours and 6 sixes.
Ishan's knock provided the backbone for SRH’s dominance, with Heinrich Klaasen (34 off 14) adding late flourish. RR’s bowlers, notably Jofra Archer (0/76), had no answers to Kishan’s onslaught.
This century, Kishan’s first in the IPL after his 2020 heroics with Mumbai Indians (99 vs RCB), underlined his return to form following a challenging 2024 season. “It feels special to start the season like this for SRH,” Kishan said post-match, dedicating the knock to his supporters. His performance set an imposing target that RR couldn’t chase despite valiant efforts from Sanju Samson (66) and Dhruv Jurel (70). Kishan’s fireworks not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also signaled his intent to dominate IPL 2025.
