Lucknow, May 23 (UNI) Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 94 off just 48 balls, a knock of calculated brutality and fearless strokeplay, lit up the Friday night sky here as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) launched a blistering assault against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), finishing with a commanding total of 231/6 in the IPL.
The innings began with intent as Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma tore into the RCB bowlers. Head set the tone with a stylish drive through covers off Yash Dayal in the opening over, while Abhishek Sharma unloaded a flurry of boundaries — including a monstrous six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar that smashed into the Tata Curvv car’s windshield.
His 34 off 17 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes) ensured SRH raced to 50 inside just four overs before Lungi Ngidi and Bhuvneshwar struck in quick succession to dismiss both openers.
But if RCB thought the worst was over, they hadn’t accounted for Kishan.
Coming into this match after a patchy run of form, Kishan was in a different zone tonight. He started cautiously but shifted gears after reaching his fifty in the 14th over with a swipe to deep mid-wicket. His knock was laced with improvisation, timing, and pure muscle. A cheeky scoop off Romario Shepherd over fine leg for six in the 17th over was followed by a bullet-like slice over extra cover.
The drama unfolded in the 17th over when Kishan attempted a reverse stance and was denied a wide, sparking debate and animated reactions. But the left-hander shrugged it off in style: Bhuvneshwar’s next ball disappeared downtown for six.
Pat Cummins provided the finishing touches, smacking Ngidi for a towering six over deep square and surviving a tough dropped catch. Kishan, unfazed, launched into Dayal in the final over — slapping a four past Shepherd, then clattering a slower ball high over long-off for a maximum to end the innings.
Among others who added fuel to the fire, Aniket Verma’s quickfire 26 off just 9 balls — featuring three sixes — and Abhinav Manohar’s upper-cut six off Bhuvneshwar showcased SRH’s intent to finish with a flourish. Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with a 13-ball 24 before falling to a smartly flighted delivery by Suyash Sharma.
SRH’s final tally, driven by Kishan’s commanding knock, reads like a highlight reel: 5 sixes, 7 fours, and relentless scoring in every phase. Kishan walked off to a standing ovation, having not just answered his critics, but having hammered home SRH’s ambition for a top-two finish.
With the playoffs around the corner and RCB’s bowlers left licking their wounds, Hyderabad’s statement is loud and clear — they’re here to dominate. UNI BDN SSP