Ishan Kishan's Comeback: A Stellar Performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Ishan Kishan's Recent Struggles and Resurgence

After achieving his first century in the IPL on March 23, Ishan Kishan's performance took a downturn, with subsequent scores of 0, 2, 2, 17, 9*, 2, 1, 44, 13, and 35. Initially, he showed promise for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) but struggled to maintain that momentum, managing only four runs across three matches. This period proved to be quite challenging for the explosive left-handed batsman.

However, following two months of inconsistent performances, Kishan appears to be regaining his form. He recently notched up a couple of scores exceeding 30, although his timing seemed slightly off. In a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he showcased glimpses of his former self, holding the innings together as wickets fell around him.

Kishan's Impactful Innings

While Abhishek Sharma and Aniket Verma thrilled the audience with their aggressive batting, it was Kishan who emerged as the backbone for SRH. His early contributions were crucial; without his steady presence, the innings could have faltered. He reached his fifty in just 28 balls, and his aggressive mindset only intensified as he went on to score an impressive 94 runs off 48 balls, enabling Hyderabad to set a formidable target of 232.

Looking Ahead: Kishan's Future Prospects

This timely performance comes as Kishan prepares for his departure to England around the 25th or 26th for the India A tour. After more than a year away from the Test squad, he may finally have an opportunity to make a case for inclusion in the Test team following these practice matches against the England Lions.

While Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel may focus more on Test cricket, Kishan still has a compelling argument for selection. He could potentially surpass Jurel as the primary backup, if not the first choice. Although this performance may not directly translate to a red-ball opportunity, it certainly provides him with valuable runs at a crucial time.