Former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody has backed Ishan Kishan’s retention for the IPL 2026 season, following his stellar unbeaten 94-run knock against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 23, 2025. Kishan’s innings powered SRH to a commanding 231/6, leading to a 42-run victory at the Ekana International Stadium, Lucknow.
Moody’s Verdict on Kishan’s Future at SRH
Despite a mixed IPL 2025 campaign, Kishan’s latest performance has solidified his place in SRH’s plans, according to Moody. The former coach emphasized that franchise discussions about Kishan’s future were ongoing, but his composed and aggressive batting display against RCB has eliminated any doubts about his retention.
“Ishan Kishan would have been under a lot of pressure going into tonight’s game. He would have felt that, given he had a poor season, even though he started very well. You can guarantee that around the franchise there would have been talks like, ‘Do we keep him? Do we not?’ But today, Ishan has made it very clear that he is going to be retained,” Moody stated.
Kishan’s IPL 2025 Performance and Impact
Kishan began the season with a century against Rajasthan Royals (RR) but struggled to maintain consistency. However, his 94 off 48 balls* against RCB showcased his ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed.
- IPL 2025 Stats:
- Matches: 13
- Runs: 325
- Average: 36.11
- Strike Rate: 153.30
RCB’s Playoff Hopes Dented
Kishan’s knock not only secured SRH’s win but also dented RCB’s chances of finishing in the top two. Despite Phil Salt’s explosive 62 off 32 balls, RCB collapsed, losing their final seven wickets for just 16 runs, finishing at 189 all out.
Future Outlook for Kishan and SRH
With SRH’s final league match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 25, Kishan will look to continue his momentum and further cement his place in the squad for IPL 2026.
