Ishan Kishan vs RCB: SRH star’s explosive stats headline IPL 2026 opener build-up

Ishan Kishan has faced RCB in 14 IPL matches, bagging seven wins and seven defeats.

Published on: Mar 28, 2026, 15:42:57 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Ishan Kishan is set to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad for few matchesin IPL 2026 as regular skipepr Pat Cummins will be unavailable for the opening games. The spotlight will be on the wicketkeeper-batter, especially after his sensational T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where India succesfully defended their title.

Ishan Kishan will be captaining SRH for few matches this season. (PTI)

Ishan Kishan vs RCB

SRH face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener on Saturday. Kishan has faced RCB in 14 IPL matches, bagging seven wins and seven defeats. In 14 innings, he has registered 478 runs off 290 balls at an average of 36.77 and 164.8 strike rate. He also has three half-centuries against RCB.

Also Read: No ban on IPL 2026 telecast in Bangladesh, confirms minister amid earlier confusion

Daniel Vettori backs Ishan Kishan

Opening up on appointed Kishan as the temporary captain, SRH head coach Daniel Vettori said, "I think Ishan’s been around in the IPL for a long period of time now. He’s been with a number of teams and he’s been highly successful, so, he brings in his own confidence around that."

"The fact that he’s led the U19s and his state team and they won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year brings a confident person, a confident player and a really confident leader and those are the attributes that we really looked at when he was appointed. His combination with Abhishek, they’re good friends, they know the team exceptionally well and I really feel like those two will lead from the front this season," he added.

Last season, SRH purchased him for ₹11.25 crore. During IPL 2025, he got 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 152.58, packed with a ton and a half-century.

“I think he started last year where he was added a senior player to the group and the leadership that he exuded throughout that first season, particularly in the back half when he took over the wicketkeeping, it really brought energy to the group and set up our back half of the year and we were pretty successful in that period,” he said.

"So when Pat (Cummins) was unfortunately out of the initial stage of the tournament, we had some decisions to make and his (Kishan’s) experience with his state team in particular had been so impressive and then he was in really good form. So, between Abhishek and himself, we feel like we’ve got a really good leadership group to lead us this year," he added.

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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