The Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) massive Rs 11.75 crore bid for Ishan Kishan has left many scratching their heads. Why? Well, SRH already had a formidable batting lineup, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Heinrich Klaasen, who all had a stellar IPL 2024. And to make things even more puzzling, Klaasen was already their go-to wicketkeeper! So, what prompted SRH to break the bank for another keeper in Kishan?
IPL 2025: Does Ishan Kishan really fit in SRH?
There’s no denying that Ishan Kishan is a supremely talented batter who can change the course of a game in no time. He’s got the kind of talent that can turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye. With a double century in ODIs under his belt, he’s proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with. And let’s not forget his impressive IPL credentials—over 100 games, 2,644 runs, and two titles to his name. But, if we’re being honest, his numbers aren’t entirely mind-blowing. As an opener, he averages 33.98 and strikes at 141.82—solid, but not spectacular.
Here’s the thing: Kishan’s numbers take a hit when he bats at number three, which is where SRH plans to slot him in. His average at one down is a modest 19.64, and his strike rate is 120.00—not exactly the kind of firepower you’d expect from a player of his calibre. It’s starting to look like SRH’s team composition might not be the best fit for Kishan, who’s already struggling with his confidence. It’s a bit of a puzzler, to be honest!
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IPL 2025: ‘Inconsistent’ Ishan Kishan won’t help SRH
Unfortunately for SRH, Ishan Kishan isn’t in great form either. While the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Mayank Agarwal are splashing hundreds of innings after innings, Kishan is not amongst runs. Recently, on January 30, Kishan, who was captaining Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, Against a strong-looking Tamil Nadu, Kishan batted at six and managed to score just 8 runs. He did hit a six against Ajith Ram but it was Sai Kishore who got him plumbed in front of the stumps. The entire Jharkhand team was bundled out for 185/10.
Kishan’s last 5 innings score read 8, 23, 48, 39, 8. This shows he isn’t out of form but the inconsistencies always crop up in his game. Even at the Mumbai Indians, Kishan blew hot and cold. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for Jharkhand, Kishan had just one fifty in six innings. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, he doesn’t even rank among top 150 batters.
Let’s get real here! Kishan’s price tag of Rs 11.25 crore is steep, and you can’t help but wonder if he’s worth it. SRH could have looked at the other players in the same price range – Phil Salt, for instance, is an absolute dynamo as an opener, and he had an incredible 2024. Then there’s Marcus Stoinis, who’s a game-changer with his aggressive batting and handy bowling skills. He can bat anywhere and chip in with 4 overs on a good day. So, is Kishan really the best option for SRH at that price?
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