Chennai: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Ishan Kishan delivered a match-winning performance against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an emotionally charged IPL encounter, guiding his team into the playoffs with a crucial five-wicket victory at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Kishan, who scored a composed 70 off 47 balls, revealed after the match that his innings was deeply motivated by a personal family tragedy. The left-handed batter said he felt “blessed from upstairs” as his cousin, who recently lost his sister, watched him play from the stands.

The victory saw SRH successfully chase down a target of 181 on a challenging Chepauk pitch, sealing their qualification for the IPL playoffs.

Emotional motivation behind match-winning knock

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Kishan opened up about the emotional circumstances surrounding his innings. He shared that his cousin’s presence in the stadium during a difficult time for the family gave him the strength to perform under pressure.

“I would just say one thing. Sometimes I feel it’s also about motivation. For me, my motivation was today — my cousin was standing there. He lost his sister. It was a tough time in our family, and they were watching the match here for the first time,” Kishan said.

“I just wanted to finish the game for them. I’m glad they were here to witness this innings, and I was able to finish it. I was feeling blessed from upstairs and had the belief that I could do it for the team,” he added.

His composed innings ensured SRH stayed on track despite the tricky conditions and mounting pressure during the chase.

Challenging Chepauk pitch tested batters

Kishan acknowledged that batting was not easy on the Chepauk surface, particularly against spin and slower deliveries. The wicket offered variable bounce and grip, making stroke play difficult.

“When I was keeping, I felt the wicket was not easy — especially with the spinners and slower balls working well. I knew I had to stay till the end. It was about believing in myself and not doubting at any stage,” he said.

He stitched a crucial 75-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen for the third wicket, which proved to be the turning point of the match. The duo maintained a steady approach while capitalising on scoring opportunities.

“We were just playing our shots and backing our strengths,” Kishan said, reflecting on the partnership.

Cummins lauds key partnership

SRH captain Pat Cummins praised the match-defining stand between Kishan and Klaasen, calling it decisive on a tough batting track. Cummins himself contributed significantly with the ball, picking up three wickets for 28 runs in CSK’s innings.

“It was a pretty tough wicket to bat on. That partnership was crucial. They chose their match-ups well and played some outstanding shots,” Cummins said.

He noted that the pitch behaviour remained consistent, with the ball occasionally staying low, making stroke-making risky.

“The real stuff starts now,” Cummins added, referring to the upcoming playoff stage. “There are always areas to improve, but overall, we’re really happy with how things have gone.”

Klaasen shines, claims Orange Cap

Heinrich Klaasen, who played a vital supporting role in the chase, also acknowledged the difficulty of batting conditions. The South African wicketkeeper-batter now holds the Orange Cap, having amassed 555 runs in 13 matches this season.

“The first couple of balls I faced, I realised I couldn’t play defensively. The pitch was uneven and not easy to bat on. You have to take your chances here,” Klaasen said.

He expressed optimism about SRH’s chances going forward, stating that a win in their final league match could help them secure a top-two finish in the points table.

CSK skipper proud despite defeat

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad remained upbeat despite the loss, highlighting the team’s fighting spirit and resilience, especially in the absence of key players.

“It was a good game of cricket. We were in it until the second-last over. We just missed out on a few opportunities,” Gaikwad said.

“Given the team we had and the limited squad, I’m proud of the effort. There are a lot of positives to take from this season,” he added.

Gaikwad also mentioned that the team had shown improvement compared to the previous year, with several players stepping up in crucial situations.

SRH eye strong playoff run

With this victory, SRH have secured their place in the IPL playoffs and will now look to carry forward the momentum into the knockout stage. Kishan’s emotionally driven innings not only showcased his batting prowess but also highlighted the human side of sport, where personal moments often fuel extraordinary performances.

As the tournament heads into its decisive phase, SRH appear to be peaking at the right time, with key players delivering under pressure.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka  staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)