Udaipur, March 24, 2025: The first century of IPL 2025 was scored by Ishan Kishan of Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 26-year-old batsman played an unbeaten knock of 106 runs, hitting 11 fours and six sixes off 47 balls against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, leading his team to a total of 286 runs. Ishan was part of the Indian team’s plans until 2023. However, after that, his sporting career took a turn, and he was left out of both the BCCI's plans and his contract. Despite this, Ishan worked quietly, practising hard at his academy in Patna. Now, by scoring a century in his first match of IPL 2025, he has silenced his critics and made a memorable comeback.

Ishan Kishan Kept Preparing Quietly

Ishan Kishan played his last international match in November 2023. After that, he was selected for the Test series against South Africa, but he withdrew his name. This decision upset the BCCI, and he was dropped from the central contract. His chances of returning to the Indian team became difficult, and he was asked to participate in domestic tournaments. However, Ishan did not play in the domestic tournaments either, which led to him being overlooked multiple times for the Indian team. Despite all this, Ishan stayed quiet and focused on his preparation.

Mumbai Indians Dropped Him

In the IPL 2024 season, Ishan was part of the Mumbai Indians team. He scored 320 runs in 14 matches with a strike rate of 148.84, which included one half-century. However, the Mumbai franchise released him before the IPL 2025 mega auction. In the auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad bid heavily for him and bought him for ₹11.25 crore. This marked a turning point in his career, and he proved why he is considered one of Indian cricket’s stars.

What Ishan Said After the Match

Ishan put the disappointment of the past behind him and started fresh by scoring a century in his debut match for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His brilliant innings helped SRH defeat Rajasthan Royals by 44 runs, giving the team a fantastic start to the season. After winning the 'Player of the Match' award, Ishan said, "I was a little nervous. Pat (Cummins) and the coach gave me a lot of confidence. The atmosphere here is very calm. I enjoyed my innings on the field."

Dropped from the Central Contract

Last year, Ishan was dropped from the BCCI's central contract. The selectors and board officials felt he was not prioritizing the Ranji Trophy. At that time, he was among the top three wicketkeeper-batsmen in India, along with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. However, the board’s decision pushed him further behind in the pecking order. After being dropped, Ishan had a lot of free time, which he said he used wisely.

Training in Patna Instead of Mumbai

Earlier, Ishan used to train at the Mumbai Indians’ ground in Ghansoli. However, this time, he used his own money to build a cricket academy in his hometown, Patna. A source close to his practice revealed, “He used to train in two sessions daily. The morning sessions were focused on cricket skills, lasting two to three hours, and he worked very hard during this time. In the evening, he would either spend time in the gym or do speed training for an hour or two.”

Focus on Technical Flaws and Fitness

Ishan spent his time analyzing videos of his batting practice in the evening to fix his technical flaws. He worked not only on his batting but also on the mental aspect of the game. He also got to spend quality time with his family, which kept him fresh and motivated. According to the source, training in his Patna academy gave him a comfortable environment to focus and work with dedication.

Captain Pat Cummins Praises Ishan

After SRH's win against Rajasthan Royals, captain Pat Cummins praised Ishan Kishan highly. Cummins said, “Kishan was incredible. He played freely and set a benchmark for the rest of the season. He knows what the team needs from him. We need to move forward with the same fearless approach and execute our plans better in upcoming matches.”