Hyderabad, March 23 – A blistering unbeaten century from Ishan Kishan overshadowed strong efforts by Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs in a high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.
As per agency report, Kishan hammered 106 runs off just 47 balls, marking a thunderous debut for his new franchise. His innings, which featured explosive hitting all around the ground, helped SRH post a formidable total of 286 for 6—the second-highest total in IPL history, just behind their own 287 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the previous season.
The foundation was laid by opener Travis Head, who smashed 67 from 31 balls and stitched an 85-run partnership in just 39 balls with Kishan. The duo tormented the Royals’ bowling attack, collectively hitting 20 fours and nine sixes.
Rajasthan’s response never quite found momentum after losing three wickets before reaching the 50-run mark. However, skipper Sanju Samson (66 off 37) and Dhruv Jurel (70 off 35) mounted a spirited comeback, adding 111 runs in 9.5 overs to briefly reignite hopes for the visitors. Yet their dismissals in the 14th and 15th overs crushed any real chance of a successful chase.
Later contributions from Shimron Hetmyer (42 off 23) and Shubham Dubey (34* off 11) helped Rajasthan finish at 242 for 6, narrowing the defeat margin but not enough to threaten the result.
The match also marked a tough outing for Royals’ bowling unit, especially Jofra Archer, who conceded 76 runs in four overs—becoming the most expensive wicketless bowler in IPL history. Mahesh Theekshana took two wickets but was also expensive, while only Tushar Deshpande emerged with respectable figures, claiming 3 for 44.
Kishan’s innings stood out not only for its aggression but also for the context it came in. The left-hander, who lost his central contract due to skipping domestic duties in 2024, was released by Mumbai Indians ahead of this season. Playing with renewed purpose, he dominated the back-end of the innings and made a strong case for a national comeback.
SRH captain Pat Cummins went wicketless, conceding 60 in his four overs, but Harshal Patel played a key role with two wickets, especially in the death overs. Simarjeet Singh also made an impact with two early wickets, setting the tone for Hyderabad’s defense.
The match served as a showcase of modern T20 batting, with all three Indian wicketkeepers—Kishan, Samson, and Jurel—displaying their big-hitting prowess. Despite RR’s valiant chase, it was SRH’s calculated aggression and superior batting depth that sealed a commanding win in their season opener.
