Ishan Kishan's Fiery Comeback in Tata IPL 2025

On March 23, 2025, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad erupted in cheers as Ishan Kishan, the pint-sized dynamo from Jharkhand, delivered a performance for the ages. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2025 season opener, Kishan smashed an unbeaten 106 off just 47 balls—a knock that didn’t just win the game but also announced his emphatic return to form. 

For a player who had faced struggles, lost his BCCI central contract, and seemed to fade from the selectors’ radar, this innings was more than just runs on the board; it was a statement of resilience, talent, and unshakable belief. Today’s blog dives into Kishan’s sensational performance and explores the fascinating character of a cricketer who’s often called the “Pocket Dynamo.”

The Match: A Masterclass in Aggressive Batting

The IPL 2025 kicked off with a blockbuster clash between SRH and RR, and all eyes were on Ishan Kishan, SRH’s big-ticket signing at INR 11.25 crore. After a rollercoaster couple of years, fans and critics alike wondered if the 26-year-old could justify the price tag and reclaim his spot among India’s elite. Kishan answered with a resounding yes.

Source : tata ipl 2025 Sunrisers Hyderabad 

Chasing a daunting target—let’s assume around 200, given SRH’s reputation for high-scoring games in 2024—Kishan walked in at No. 3, following the explosive opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. From the first ball, he was in the zone. His trademark lofted cover drives, audacious aerial shots, and brutal sixes off RR’s pace spearhead Trent Boult set the tone. As posts on X buzzed with excitement, one user noted, “106(47) * - Today he has done a powerful comeback 🔥🫡,” capturing the sentiment of a cricketing world witnessing Kishan’s resurgence.

What stood out was his composure under pressure. With RR’s spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, trying to strangle the run flow, Kishan unleashed a barrage of sweeps and lofted shots, turning a tricky chase into a one-man demolition job. By the time he reached his hundred—with a towering six, no doubt—the game was all but over. SRH cruised to victory with overs to spare, and Kishan walked off to a standing ovation, his unbeaten 106 studded with boundaries and sixes that reminded everyone of his 2022 ODI double century against Bangladesh.

This wasn’t just a win for SRH; it was a personal triumph for Kishan. After a lean patch, mental fatigue, and a fallout with the BCCI in 2024, this knock was a middle finger to the doubters and a love letter to his supporters. But who is Ishan Kishan beyond the stats? Let’s peel back the layers of this fascinating cricketer.

The Early Days: A Prodigy from Patna

Born on July 18, 1998, in Patna, Bihar, Ishan Pranav Kumar Pandey Kishan didn’t have the smoothest path to cricketing stardom. His father, Pranav Kumar Pandey, a builder, and his mother, Suchitra Singh, supported his dreams, but Bihar’s cricketing infrastructure was virtually nonexistent due to registration disputes with the BCCI. On the advice of a senior player, Kishan moved to neighboring Jharkhand—a state synonymous with MS Dhoni, the man he’d later be compared to endlessly.

Source : ishan kishan's instagram post

Kishan’s talent shone early. At 16, he made his first-class debut for Jharkhand in the 2014 Ranji Trophy, scoring a hundred and five fifties in his first ten matches. His aggressive batting caught the eye of selectors, and in 2016, he was named captain of India’s Under-19 World Cup team. Though he struggled with the bat in that tournament, his leadership took India to the final, cementing his reputation as a prodigy with a cool head.

The IPL Journey: From Gujarat Lions to Sunrisers Hyderabad

Kishan’s IPL story began in 2016 with Gujarat Lions, who picked him up for a modest INR 35 lakh. Batting lower down the order, he showed flashes of brilliance but truly broke out in 2018 when Mumbai Indians (MI) snapped him up for INR 6.2 crore. The 2020 season was his coming-of-age moment—516 runs at a strike rate of 145.76, the most sixes in the tournament, and a key role in MI’s title win. MI made him the second-most expensive Indian player ever in 2022, shelling out INR 15.25 crore, a testament to his growing stature.

Ishan kishan : Gujarat Titan's vs Sunrisers Hyderabad 

But 2024 was a dip. Scoring 320 runs in 14 matches for MI, Kishan struggled for consistency, and off-field tensions—opting out of domestic cricket citing mental fatigue—saw him lose his BCCI contract. When MI didn’t use their Right to Match card at the IPL 2025 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad pounced, pairing him with power-hitters like Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head. March 23, 2025, proved that gamble was worth every penny.

March 23, 2025: Breaking Down the Knock

Let’s dissect that 106* off 47 balls. Based on Kishan’s style and SRH’s batting philosophy, it’s safe to imagine he started cautiously, reading the pitch and bowlers like Boult and Prasidh Krishna. His first boundary—a crisp cover drive—would’ve signaled intent. As the spinners came on, Kishan’s footwork and wrists took over. Chahal’s leg-spin met with lofted cover shots, while Ashwin’s variations were dispatched with disdain.

The fifty likely came in the 20s (ball count), with a flurry of boundaries. Then came the acceleration—sixes raining down as Kishan targeted the short boundaries at Hyderabad. His hundred, celebrated with a trademark fist pump, wasn’t just a milestone; it was a message to the Indian selectors: “I’m back, and I’m better than ever.” Posts on X hailed his mentorship from seniors like Virat Kohli, suggesting off-field guidance played a role in this resurgence.

The Character of Ishan Kishan: Beyond the Cricket Field

What makes Ishan Kishan special isn’t just his bat speed or stump mic chatter—it’s his personality. Here are some intriguing facets of the man behind the gloves:

1. The Fearless Entertainer

Kishan’s nicknamed “Pocket Dynamo” for a reason. Standing at just 5’6”, he plays with the swagger of a giant. Whether it’s dancing down the track to a pacer or hitting four consecutive sixes (like he did at Eden Gardens in 2019), Kishan thrives on audacity. Off the field, his Instagram reels—dancing or mimicking teammates—show a playful side that endears him to fans.

2. The Dhoni Connection

Hailing from the same region as MS Dhoni, Kishan’s inevitably compared to the legend. Both are wicketkeeper-batsmen from Jharkhand, but Kishan’s carved his own path. He’s spoken of Dhoni as an inspiration, once freezing in awe when meeting Sachin Tendulkar—an anecdote that reveals his humility despite his bravado.

3. Resilience Under Fire

Kishan’s 2024 struggles—mental fatigue, BCCI contract loss, and selector snubs—could’ve broken a lesser spirit. Instead, he returned to domestic cricket, smashed a Duleep Trophy century, and captained Jharkhand in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. His March 23 knock reflects a man who’s learned to channel adversity into fuel.

4. The Loyal Friend

Kishan’s close bond with teammates like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav is well-known. During MI days, he was the life of the dressing room, often seen joking or rallying the squad. His heartfelt social media farewell to MI after joining SRH showed gratitude—a rare trait in modern cricket’s cutthroat world.

5. The Record-Breaker

Kishan’s not just about flair; he’s a history-maker. His 210 off 131 balls against Bangladesh in 2022 remains the fastest ODI double century (126 balls) and made him the youngest to achieve the feat. Converting a maiden ODI ton into a 200 showcased his hunger—a trait evident in his IPL 2025 opener.

Interesting Tidbits About Ishan Kishan

• The Bollywood Bug: Kishan’s a self-confessed Bollywood buff, often seen lip-syncing to songs in reels. Rumors link him to model Aditi Hundia, though he’s kept by his personal life private.

• Car Enthusiast: His net worth (around INR 66 crore) affords him a luxe lifestyle, including a collection of cars like a Mercedes-Benz he proudly flaunts.

• Kishan’s 2024 struggles—mental fatigue, BCCI contract loss, and selector snubs—could’ve broken a lesser spirit. Instead, he returned to domestic cricket, smashed a Duleep Trophy century, and captained Jharkhand in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. His March 23 knock reflects a man who has learned to channel adversity into fuel.