Many would agree that SRH didn’t need to opt for Ishan Kishan’s services, at the IPL Auction 2025, that too at a staggering price of INR 11.25 Cr. Their former coach Tom Moody also echoed the same sentiment after the conclusion of the IPL Auction, and said, “Yes, well it’s (move to buy Ishan Kishan) flawed mate.
SRH Buy Ishan Kishan at Premium in IPL Auction
“I didn’t see that coming, did not see that coming. We tried to get him four years ago and failed. I think we pushed Mumbai Indians back then right up to 15.5 crore, I think it was, way beyond their budget,” Moody said on ESPNCricinfo. And he couldn’t be more right in pointing that out.
For starters, Ishan Kishan, in no way would fit as the opener — especially when there is Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head at the top. They duo were at the their explosive best, where the oppositions found it difficult to stop them. Secondly, Ishan is going through mixed form, where consistency is missing.
In IPL 2024, in the 14 matches he played, he could only score 320 runs at an average of 22, and a strike rate of 148. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, playing for Jharkhand, he has managed to score only 20 and 24. Instead, SRH should go with uber-talented Atharva Taide, who was released by PBKS, and bought by Hyderabad for only 30 Lakh.
Atharva Taide Better Option?
He has credentials too back him up too. In 49 T20 matches he has played, he has scored 1374 runs at an average over 30. In IPL, in his 9 matches, he has scored 247 runs at a strike rate of 147. So he could be an explosive batter at No. 3. If that happens, then Ishan would only remain a backup for the top and the middle-order, who could fit in any position.
Not to forget, their is Heirich Klaasen too, who tends to get some opportunities at No.3 as well. So, eventually such a costly but at the IPL Auction — Ishan might not be needed IPL 2025 at all.
SRH IPL 2025 Squad
Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Mohammad Shami (Rs. 10 crore), Harshal Patel (Rs. 8 crore), Ishan Kishan (Rs. 11.25 crore), Rahul Chahar (Rs. 3.2 crore), Adam Zampa (Rs. 2.40 crore), Atharva Taide (Rs. 30 lakh), Abhinav Manohar (Rs. 3.20 crore), Simarjeet Singh (Rs. 1.50 crore), Zeeshan Ansari (Rs. 40 lakh), Jaydev Unadkat (Rs. 1 crore), Brydon Carse (Rs. 1 crore), Kamindu Mendis (Rs. 75 lakh), Aniket Verma (Rs. 30 lakh), Eshan Malinga (Rs. 1.20 crore), Sachin Baby (Rs. 30 lakh).
