Lucknow: Ishan Kishan lit up the Ekana Stadium with a dazzling unbeaten 94 off 48 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) overpowered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 42 runs in a high-octane IPL 2025 clash here on Friday.
Kishan, whose audacious strokeplay and fearless improvisation defined SRH’s innings, anchored a mammoth total of 231 for 6, which proved well beyond RCB’s reach. The left-hander’s knock, a perfect blend of flair and finesse, came just when SRH needed a statement win to reinforce their top-two ambitions.
Asked to bat first, SRH began with intent as Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head took on the new ball. Abhishek blazed 34 off just 17 balls, smashing three sixes and as many boundaries — including a monstrous hit off Bhuvneshwar Kumar that famously shattered the windshield of a display Tata Curvv, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Head fell cheaply for 17, triggering a brief wobble as Bhuvneshwar and Lungi Ngidi struck in quick succession to reduce SRH to 54 for 2. But Kishan steadied the innings with initial restraint before unleashing a furious onslaught post his fifty in the 14th over. A cheeky scoop for six off Romario Shepherd and a sublime slice over extra cover typified his range.
The 17th over brought a moment of drama when Kishan, attempting a reverse stance, was denied a wide — sparking animated exchanges. He responded with a brutal six off the very next ball from Bhuvneshwar, stamping his authority on the contest.
Cameos from Aniket Verma (26 off 9), Heinrich Klaasen (24 off 13), and Abhinav Manohar (12 off 10) added late impetus. Skipper Pat Cummins chipped in with 13 off 6 in the death overs, propelling SRH to their highest total of the season.
For RCB, Romario Shepherd stood out with 3 for 42, while Bhuvneshwar and Krunal Pandya picked up two wickets apiece.
In reply, RCB’s chase never really took off. Phil Salt struck a rapid 62 (32 balls, 4 fours, 5 sixes), while Virat Kohli added 43 off 25, but the rest of the lineup crumbled under sustained pressure.
Captain Jitesh Sharma (24) and Romario Shepherd (28 off 14) offered resistance, but SRH’s bowling proved too disciplined.
Cummins led from the front with 3 for 28, supported by Eshan Malinga (2/37) and Harshal Patel (1/39), as RCB were bundled out for 189 in 19.1 overs
