Introduction
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) announced their arrival in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in style, delivering a performance that had fans on the edge of their seats. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, the team stayed true to their promise of high-octane entertainment, smashing the second-highest total in IPL history.
Facing Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, SRH put up a jaw-dropping 286 runs in their first innings. The batting-friendly pitch set the stage for a thrilling contest, but despite Rajasthan’s valiant chase, they fell short by 44 runs, managing 242/6 in their 20 overs.
Ishan Kishan Lights Up Hyderabad with Maiden IPL Century
The night belonged to Ishan Kishan, who played the innings of his IPL career. After struggling through a couple of tough seasons with Mumbai Indians, Kishan found a fresh start at Hyderabad, and he made it count in the most spectacular fashion.
Walking in at No. 3 after a blistering start from Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, Ishan took center stage. The duo had already set the tone, smashing 45 runs in just three overs, but it was Kishan who stole the limelight with a breathtaking knock. He paced his innings beautifully, ensuring SRH didn’t lose momentum in the middle overs—something that had hurt teams like KKR in earlier matches.
Kishan’s ability to manipulate the field and play with angles against both spin and pace was a treat to watch. He remained unbeaten on 106 off just 47 balls, anchoring the innings till the very end. During the mid-innings interview, he credited the team’s supportive culture and the freedom given to players by captain Pat Cummins.
“The team has put their faith in me, and I want to give my best for them. The captain has given us all a lot of freedom and confidence—hats off to the management,” Kishan said.
His knock was well-supported by Travis Head (67 off 31), Heinrich Klaasen (34 off 14), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (30 off 15). At one stage, it seemed SRH might break their own record of 287 runs, but a mini-collapse in the last two overs prevented them from going further. Despite that, the team would be thrilled with the way they executed their batting plan, building their innings around Kishan and Head.
Shami and Simarjeet Shine with the Ball
While the batters dominated the headlines, SRH’s fast bowlers also left their mark. Mohammed Shami and Simarjeet Singh put on an impressive show with the new ball, troubling the Rajasthan batters early on.
Shami’s first two overs were a masterclass in seam bowling, making the ball talk under the lights. Simarjeet, on the other hand, brought raw pace into the attack and made life difficult for RR’s top order. Though he was expensive in his final two overs, SRH would still be pleased with the promise he showed.
In the end, SunRisers Hyderabad’s all-round brilliance ensured they kicked off their campaign with a commanding victory. If this match is anything to go by, fans can expect fireworks every time SRH takes the field this season.
Harshal Patel’s Death-Over Brilliance & Rajasthan’s Resilient Fightback
Beyond the opening bowlers, Harshal Patel delivered a standout performance, bringing exceptional control and composure in the final overs. He finished as the most economical bowler of the night, conceding just 34 runs in his 4 overs while also picking up two crucial wickets to stall Rajasthan’s charge.
Jurel & Samson’s Counterattack
Though Rajasthan Royals fell short, they could take some pride in their spirited batting display. Sanju Samson, battling fitness concerns, played a gutsy knock of 66 off 37 balls, while Dhruv Jurel showcased his explosive form with a breathtaking 70 off just 35 balls. The duo stitched together a 111-run partnership in no time, ensuring RR didn’t face complete humiliation in their opening match of the tournament.
Jurel, in particular, was in sublime touch, dismantling the SRH attack with effortless strokeplay. However, just when Rajasthan looked set for an even bigger total, Harshal Patel and Adam Zampa struck in quick succession during the 14th and 15th overs, triggering a mini-collapse that put the brakes on their momentum.
Despite the setback, late fireworks from Shimron Hetmyer (42 off 23) and Shubham Dubey (34 off 11)* powered Rajasthan to 242/6, their highest-ever total in IPL history.
A Historic Run-Fest
The match turned into a batting spectacle, with a staggering 528 runs scored—the second-highest aggregate in IPL history. Interestingly, all three of the highest-scoring IPL matches have featured SunRisers Hyderabad, further cementing their reputation as one of the most explosive teams in the league.
With their season off to a dream start, SRH will now face Lucknow Super Giants on March 27. Given LSG’s current injury concerns, they will be wary of the batting firepower that SRH brings to the table. The stage is set for another thrilling contest!