Ishan Kishan backs IPL debutant Shivang Kumar, highlights 'big heart' spell vs Rinku Singh in SRH's dominant win vs KKR

Shivang Kumar's delivery saw Rinku Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi get involved in a huge mix-up, with the latter losing his wicket after getting a half-century.

Updated on: Apr 3, 2026, 06:17:16 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Stand-in captain Ishan Kishan was impressed with Shivang Kumar's performance on Thursday. The left-arm wristspinner made his IPL debut at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and justified his selection as Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 65 runs. He was key in the second innings, as it was his delivery that saw Rinku Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi get involved in a huge mix-up, and the latter lost his wicket in the resulting runout in the non-striker's end. It was a big wicket as Raghuvanshi departed for 52 off 29 balls, with Kolkata stuck at 120/4 in 10.6 overs, as they chased 227 runs.

Ishan Kishan praised IPL debutant Shivang Kumar. (REUTERS)

The 23-year-old did concede 41 runs in four overs and ended his day with an economy rate of 10.25, but Kishan pointed out that it didn't matter. According to Kishan, although Rinku Singh smacked Shivang for a lot of boundaries, the young bowler showed 'heart' with his deliveries.

Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane pulls no punches after KKR slump: ‘No excuses… we need one extra batter’

‘He was bowling with a big heart’: Ishan Kishan

Speaking in the post-match ceremony, Kishan said, "But I would love to talk about Shivang today because, you know, coming here, playing against KKR, not so big ground, good wicket in the second innings, and, you know, he bowled exceptionally well, I feel. So, that is something, you know, his hard work paid off. He was working a lot."

"He was in touch with all the coaches. He was trying to understand how this game works here. And, you know, you can see how he was bowling with a big heart against Rinku, bowling those flighted balls. So, that is something you always want to see from a young bowler who comes in the team, and he did the job for us," he added.

Raghuvanshi's dismissal was a huge turning point in the match as he was building a partnership with Rinku. The wicket completely shifted the tide in SRH's favour, as before that, it looked like KKR were still in the game.

In the first innings, Heinrich Klaasen was in dominant form, smacking 52 runs off 35 balls as SRH got to 226/8 in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma (48) and Travis Head (46) missed out on half-centuries. For KKR's bowling department, Blessing Muzarabani got a four-wicket haul. Chasing a target of 227 runs, KKR were bowled out for 161 in 16 overs, with Jaydev Unadkat taking three wickets for SRH.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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