Ishan Kishan, the talented wicketkeeper-batter, has been picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2025 auction. The team spent a whopping INR 11.25 crore to bring him on board.
Kishan has been part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) since 2018, helping them secure IPL titles in 2019 and 2020. In the 2024 season, he scored 320 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 148.83. However, MI decided not to retain him, and he entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore. Although Mumbai tried to bid for him, SRH eventually won after a heated bidding war.
While Kishan’s talent is undeniable, questions are being raised about whether he fits into SRH’s team strategy. Here are some reasons why his inclusion might not work as planned.
1. SRH Already Have a Strong Opening Pair
Last season, SRH’s opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head performed brilliantly. Their aggressive starts often gave the team a winning edge. Head even scored a century to help SRH post the highest-ever IPL total of 287. Together, they also set a record for the fastest 150+ run chase in IPL history.
Because of their exceptional performances, SRH decided to retain them for IPL 2025. With these two solid at the top, Kishan might not get his preferred opening spot, which could limit his effectiveness.
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2. Ishan Kishan Struggles in Middle-Order Positions
Kishan has a poor record batting at No. 3 in IPL, scoring just 216 runs at an average of 19.64 and a strike rate of 120 in 11 innings. His stats are only slightly better at No. 4, where he averages around 29.
In SRH’s current setup, players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen are expected to fill the middle-order roles. This means Kishan might have to adapt to batting in unfamiliar positions, which could affect his performance.
3. Too Many Aggressive Batters in the Lineup
With Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma already in the top order, adding another left-handed aggressive batter like Kishan might upset the team’s balance. All three players have a similar “hit the ball hard” approach, which could leave SRH without a steady, anchoring batter in case of an early collapse.
Kishan’s addition may bring more firepower, but it also risks making the batting lineup one-dimensional. For a team aiming to win crucial matches, this could be a gamble.
Final Thoughts
While Ishan Kishan is a talented player, SRH’s decision to sign him for such a high price might not yield the desired results. With an already strong opening pair and concerns over his middle-order performances, the move could backfire. It remains to be seen how SRH will fit him into their plans for IPL 2025.
Also Read: CSK Smart Move: Khaleel Ahmed’s Impact On IPL 2025
