Ishan Kishan roared back into cricket’s spotlight on Sunday, smashing a breathtaking 106* off just 47 deliveries as he powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman’s innings, featuring 11 boundaries and six towering sixes, wasn’t just a match-winning performance—it was a powerful statement to those who had seemingly written him off.
Just months ago, Kishan’s career appeared to be at a crossroads. The BCCI dropped him from the central contracts list, with officials and selectors expressing concerns that he wasn’t prioritizing red-ball cricket. Once considered among India’s top three wicketkeeper-batters alongside Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, Kishan found himself pushed to the periphery of Indian cricket.
His passionate celebration upon reaching his century—a primal roar that reverberated throughout the stadium—spoke volumes about his emotional journey back to form.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan offered a blunt assessment of Kishan’s emphatic celebration, suggesting it carried a specific message: “Kishan’s celebration for three figures today, that was a celebration maybe aimed for Mumbai, maybe to the chairman of selectors, maybe to Rohit Sharma, maybe to the whole of India, maybe to the whole of the world, just to say, ‘Look I’m a decent player’,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.
The English cricket legend further praised Kishan’s technical prowess: “He’s a wonderfully balanced player, with the break of the wrist to just flick the ball. He’s got that great shot on the onside with anything short.”
Vaughan also highlighted the remarkable depth of talent in Indian cricket, saying: “The talent pool in Indian cricket is monstrous and the only way that you can get in, the only way that you can push yourself into that set-up is by doing remarkable things. I think of all the formats to get a century in, T20 cricket is the hardest format to get in.”
Sunrisers Hyderabad, who acquired Kishan for a substantial Rs 11.25 crore at the auction, will be delighted with their investment after this match-winning debut. The franchise has now established itself as a serious contender this season, with Kishan’s explosive batting adding another dimension to their already formidable lineup.
After this dominant victory against Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad will next face Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday at the same venue, looking to build on their momentum with their new star firmly in form.
For Kishan, this century represents more than just runs on the board—it’s a redemption story unfolding in real-time, with potentially significant implications for his international future.