LUCKNOW, India — Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s Ishan Kishan shone bright with a stellar 94 not out off 48 balls, leading his team to a hefty total of 231 for 6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL 2025 encounter on May 23. This match, held at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, was crucial for RCB as they sought a top-two finish in the league.
SRH began explosively, with Abhishek Sharma hitting 34 runs off 17 balls. However, they faced a quick setback after losing both openers with their score at 54. Despite this challenge, Kishan took charge and navigated the innings expertly, smashing 7 fours and 5 sixes on his way to a match-defining knock.
“It was a mature knock from Kishan, especially under pressure,” noted SRH captain Pat Cummins after the game. “He played at a significant time when we needed stability.”
Romario Shepherd was the stand-out bowler for RCB, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 14 in 2 overs, but SRH’s depth in batting allowed them to surpass the 230-run mark. Aniket Verma also contributed with a quick-fire 26 off just 9 balls to bolster the innings further.
In the 18th over, Kishan’s significant six brought SRH past the 200-mark, a critical milestone as they aimed to set a competitive total.
The match was a dead rubber for SRH, already out of playoff contention, yet their strong performance served as a showcase of their capabilities. For RCB, the pressure was high as they sought to secure a top-two finish needed to qualify for the playoffs.
“We need to be at our best moving forward,” said RCB’s stand-in captain, Jitesh Sharma, prior to the match. With their sights set on the playoffs, RCB aimed to capitalize on any opportunities against SRH.
The match had begun in favor of SRH, with solid partnerships forming in the early stages. However, RCB’s defense tightened as the match progressed, with Shepherd providing crucial breakthroughs.
Jitesh Sharma reflected on the importance of the match saying, “We want to win every game and bring home the cup.”
The encounter not only showcased Kishan’s batting prowess, but it also highlighted SRH’s potential to disrupt opponents even when faced with elimination. This match could significantly shift momentum as they look ahead to future tournaments.
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