Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Ishan Kishan produced a sensational counter-attacking knock in the IPL 2026 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. Walking in under pressure, Kishan smashed a breathtaking 80 off just 38 deliveries, rescuing his side after a shaky start.
SRH were rocked early after being asked to bat first, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. With the innings in danger of collapsing, Kishan stepped in at No. 3 and immediately shifted gears. The left-hander mixed composure with calculated aggression, striking eight fours and five sixes at an impressive strike rate of over 210.
WATCH – Phil Salt’s Stunning Catch Ends Ishan Kishan’s Charge In IPL 2026 Opener
He found an able partner in Heinrich Klaasen, and the duo stitched together a vital 97-run stand for the fourth wicket. Their partnership not only steadied the innings but also put SRH back on track for a competitive total. Kishan reached his half-century in style, dispatching Suyash Sharma for a commanding boundary straight down the ground.
The innings drew widespread praise, with fans and experts applauding Kishan’s ability to accelerate without compromising control. Fresh off a successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign—where he emerged as one of India’s top performers—the 27-year-old continued his rich vein of form on the IPL stage.
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His entertaining knock, however, came to an end in the 16th over thanks to a moment of brilliance from Phil Salt. Chasing a sliced shot towards deep backward point, Salt pulled off a stunning one-handed catch inches above the turf, bringing a spectacular end to Kishan’s innings.
SRH eventually posted a competitive 201/9 in their 20 overs. Aniket Verma added late impetus with a quickfire 43 off 18 balls. For RCB, debutant Jacob Duffy stood out with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3/22 and playing a key role in restricting the opposition.
80(38) – Ishan Kishan
31(22) – Klaasen
43(18) – Aniket VermaSRH POSTED 201-9 IN 20 OVERS 🔥pic.twitter.com/ZWxewejWds
— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) March 28, 2026
WELL PLAYED, ISHAN KISHAN 🫡
– 80 runs from just 38 balls, A remarkable start to his IPL leadership career, he is going to rule in future. pic.twitter.com/IueZpagzQC
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 28, 2026
🚨 27 BALLS FIFTY FOR CAPTAIN ISHAN KISHAN 🚨
“What a fifty under pressure after wickets fell in the over.” 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/kt2QpUl43l
— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 28, 2026
After David Warner (2025) and Manish Pandey (2021), Ishan Kishan becomes only the third player to score a fifty on captaincy debut and he’s done it in style.
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) March 28, 2026
I hope all those Ishan Kishan fans who were asking Why Sanju Samson was keeping wicket for India got an Answer today…
Your Qn was Valid but Team Management Decision was Right pic.twitter.com/H0jttm3tJE
— 𝖇 𝖗 𝖚 𝖙 𝖚 (@Brutu24) March 28, 2026
