SRH vs RR Review – Ishan’s fireworks propels Hyderabad to victory
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) got off to a phenomenal start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as they defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday, March 23.
Stand-in Rajasthan skipper Riyan Parag won the toss and raised a few eyebrows with his decision to bowl first on a belter of a track. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma did not mind batting first on the fresh surface as they took the Rajasthan bowlers to the cleaners. The latter departed in the fourth over after playing a swashbuckling cameo. Ishan Kishan joined Head in the middle and they put the opposition bowlers to the sword.
Head slammed a fantastic half-century before being dismissed for 67. However, Kishan continued demolishing the bowlers and formed a 72-run partnership off just 29 balls with Nitish Kumar Reddy. The latter smashed 30 off 15 deliveries before Heinrich Klaasen contributed with a 14-ball 34. Kishan finished unbeaten on 106 off 47 balls, hitting 11 fours and six maximums. The hosts amassed 286/6 in 20 overs.
Chasing a mammoth target of 287, Rajasthan batters had no other option but to go hammer and tongs from the outset. In pursuit of quick runs, the inaugural champions lost the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Parag, and Nitish Rana inside the powerplay.
Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel stitched a 111-run stand off just 60 balls. However, both batters departed in consecutive overs as Sunrisers wrestled the momentum back in their favour. Shimron Hetmyer and Shubham Dubey played some exhilarating strokes during their partnership of 80 off 34 balls. However, they had too much work left to do towards the backend of the innings.
The Royals eventually finished on 242/6 in their 20 overs. Jurel top-scored with a 35-ball 70, while Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers for Hyderabad, bagging a two-for.
Top performers of the match
Ishan Kishan – 106* off 47 balls
Making his debut for SRH, Kishan took the attack to the Rajasthan bowlers and brought up his maiden century in the IPL. He got to the landmark off just 45 balls. He looked at ease against all the bowlers and did not let any of them ease into their spells.
Harshal Patel – 2/34 in four overs
Harshal Patel used his experience and made the Rajasthan batters work hard for their runs. He picked up the wickets of Samson and Hetmyer, conceding just 34 runs in his four overs. His use of slower deliveries was a treat to watch as he bowled his overs with a lot of guile.
What’s next for the two teams?
The Royals will face Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, March 26, in Guwahati. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be in action once again on Thursday, March 27, against Lucknow Super Giants at home.
