Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has heaped praise on Ishan Kishan for his match-winning innings against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which helped Sunrisers Hyderabad secure a place in the playoffs of the 2026 Indian Premier League.
Chasing a target of 181, Kishan played a brilliant knock of 70 runs off 47 balls, anchoring the innings and forming the backbone of the successful run chase. His innings included seven fours and three sixes, as he displayed remarkable control and composure under pressure.
Speaking on JioStar, Bangar called it one of the defining knocks of Kishan’s IPL career, highlighting the batter’s calm approach and improved temperament in high-pressure situations.
“This has to be one of the defining knocks of Ishan Kishan’s IPL career, and probably one of his finest innings in the tournament as well. Ever since we’ve seen this new version of Ishan Kishan, the one thing that really stands out is his composure. He never looked hurried, and that is a tremendous quality to have in a fast-paced T20 format,” Bangar said.
Kishan also shared a crucial 75-run partnership off 41 balls with Heinrich Klaasen, which provided the foundation for SRH’s chase. Bangar further praised his game awareness, especially the way he rotated strike and accelerated at the right moments.
He added that the kind of role Kishan played was what CSK head coach Stephen Fleming would have ideally expected from skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who struggled in the match, scoring just 15 off 21 deliveries.
“The kind of role Stephen Fleming would probably have expected from someone like Ruturaj was delivered by Ishan Kishan in the other innings. He stitched the partnership at the right time, attacked when needed, and ensured Klaasen got as much of the strike as possible,” Bangar noted.
Kishan has been in excellent form throughout the 2026 IPL season, continuing his strong run following India’s T20 World Cup triumph. He has scored 490 runs at a striking rate of 179.48, including five half-centuries, playing a key role in SRH’s strong campaign this season.
