Ishan Kishan's heroics overshadow Sanju Samson's daring 66; Emphatic win for SRH

HYDERABAD: The message is delivered. Hyderabad Sunrisers team started the IPL 2025 with an emphatic win, with the same aggressive approach they pulled off in the previous year’s campaign. Ishan Kishan, who left Mumbai Indians to join Sunrisers Hyderabad this season, struck a brilliant century of 106*(47) as Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by 44 runs.

Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, and Nitish Kumar Reddy displayed batting fireworks as SRH scored 286 runs in 20 overs.

Chasing a gargantuan target, Rajasthan Royals proved they were no lesser but fell short of a win. A shocking batting display from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal 1(5), substitute captain Riyan Parag 4(2) and Nitish Rana 11(8) left the team reeling at 50 for 3 in 4.1 overs.

At this stage, impact sub Sanju Samson entered the crease and scored 66 (37) while Dhruv Jurel supported with 70 (35). The two put on 111 runs for the fourth wicket from 59 balls. Rajasthan’s defeat was confirmed when Sanju and Jurel got dismissed in the span of just three balls. Shimron Hetmyer's 42 (23) and Shivam Dube's 34* (11) helped ease the burden of defeat.

Ishan Kishan’s power-packed performance consisted of 11 fours and six sixes.