Ishan Kishan showcased his explosive batting prowess on Sunday with a breathtaking unbeaten century for Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2025 opener against Rajasthan Royals. His innings of 106 runs off just 47 balls came at a staggering strike rate of 225.53, decorated with 11 boundaries and six sixes. This remarkable performance not only placed him among the fastest centurions in the history of the IPL but also secured him a place as the third quickest hundred-maker for SRH.
The road leading to this moment had been anything but smooth for Ishan Kishan. His previous IPL season was far from ideal, managing only 320 runs in 14 matches, a campaign that raised questions about his future as India’s next big opener. His exclusion from India’s central contract list, following his decision to skip domestic cricket commitments, only added to the scrutiny.
Reflecting on his journey, Ishan Kishan admitted that he had ample time to work on his game, dedicating himself to practice and improving his batting skills. Unlike many of his former Mumbai Indians teammates who trained at the franchise’s facilities, he took a different path, establishing his own cricket academy in Patna. It was at this very academy that he immersed himself in rigorous training, determined to turn his form around.
Reports suggest that his daily routine consisted of intense two-part training sessions, focusing on technical cricket skills in the morning while dedicating the evenings to fitness and speed drills. Additionally, he devoted considerable effort to the mental aspect of his game, reviewing and analysing his performances to refine his approach. Staying in his own training environment allowed him to remain focused and maintain consistency in his preparation.
His efforts bore fruit as SRH posted a mammoth total of 287, leaving Rajasthan Royals struggling in their chase. Despite their efforts, RR fell short, managing only 242/6 in their 20 overs, with the SRH bowlers Harshal Patel and Simarjeet Singh making crucial breakthroughs. Ishan Kishan, who batted at No. 3, also contributed in the field, with Heinrich Klaasen taking over the wicketkeeping duties.
This century is another reminder of Ishan Kishan’s immense talent, a glimpse of the brilliance he displayed when he smashed a historic 210 off 131 balls against Bangladesh in December 2022. That knock made him the youngest player to score a double century in ODIs and the first to convert his maiden ODI century into a double ton, a record that still stands as the fastest ODI double hundred in cricket history.
While his last appearance for India came in late 2023, this performance signals that he is far from done. With his form returning at the right time, Ishan Kishan may well be on his way back to the national setup, proving that setbacks are only stepping stones for those willing to put in the work.
