Ishan Kishan carves his name into SRH history with 38-ball 80 on captaincy debut, lights up IPL 2026 opener vs RCB

Ishan Kishan scored 80 runs off 38 balls on his IPL captaincy debut, which was laced with eight fours and five sixes.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2026, 21:12:26 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Ishan Kishan looked in sublime touch with the bat on his captaincy debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The wicketkeeper-batter stepped up when his side was in trouble, losing three early wickets inside the powerplay after an incredible spell from RCB's Jacob Duffy in the season opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Holding one end firmly, Kishan focused on rebuilding the innings alongside Heinrich Klaasen, guiding SRH out of a difficult phase. The duo shared a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket to pull things back on track. The SRH skipper scored 80 runs off 38 balls, which was laced with eight fours and five sixes.

Ishan Kishan lights up the IPL 2026 opener with his 80-run knock vs RCB. (PTI)

Kishan kept things simple, rotating strike well and finding the boundary at regular intervals to keep the run rate in check. There was a sense of control in his approach as he mixed caution with timely aggression. Kishan brought up his half-century in 27 balls, reaching the milestone with a crisp boundary in the 12th over. He then shifted gears slightly, adding two more boundaries in the same over against Suyash Sharma to apply pressure and push SRH forward.

He shifted gears once RCB turned to spin, taking on Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya with ease. Neither bowler managed to find a way past him, and Kishan made full use of the conditions. The shorter boundaries at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium worked in his favour, allowing him to clear the ropes with confidence and keep the pressure on the bowlers.

It took a stunning effort from Phil Salt to bring an end to his knock on 80. The RCB star showed superb athleticism, pulling off a sensational catch near the boundary rope to send the SRH skipper back to the pavilion. In the process, he had already set the record for the highest score by an SRH player on captaincy debut.

50-plus scores on IPL captaincy debut for SRH

80 (38) - Ishan Kishan vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2026*

69* (41) - Manish Pandey vs MI, Abu Dhabi, 2021

53 (42) - David Warner vs CSK, Chennai, 2015

The wicketkeeper-batter has been riding a strong run of form, having played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph. With Pat Cummins unavailable, he was handed the captaincy at SRH, and he has carried that momentum into the IPL, continuing to make an impact at the top.

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Earlier, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first as they begin their title defence at home. Leading SRH for the first time, Kishan kept his pre-match remarks simple, stressing the need to stick to basics while also acknowledging Pat Cummins’ absence and backing his teammates to rise to the occasion.

“Feeling good because it’s our first game. We would have bowled first after winning the toss, but it looks like a fresh wicket. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether you’re batting first or bowling first, you just need to back your instincts. That will be the plan. Just trying to keep things simple. You don’t have to start doing something new just because it’s the IPL. The plans are clear with all the players, and we’ll just look to execute them well. Pat (Cummins) is one of the best bowlers in the team and in the IPL as well. Missing him makes a big difference,” Kishan said at the toss.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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