IPL 2026: McClenaghan credits 'maturity' as key for Ishan Kishan's evolution as player and captain
New Delhi, May 19
Former Mumbai Indians quick bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has stated that Ishan Kishan's player-and captain's development has been "sensational" after the keeper-batsman inspired Sunrisers Hyderabad's entry into the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Kishan smashed 70 off 47 deliveries against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk to help SRH chase 181 six balls down at the time. It was a match winning partnership with Heinrich Klaasen which was vital for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Speaking of the batsman's progress over the years: "The both of us having played with him for years and years at the Mumbai Indians, maybe that emotional maturity wasn't there," McClenaghan said on ESPNCricinfo Timeout. "He was really just a kid when he came to us, but the way that I've seen him transform himself as a player, a leader, the way that maturity is coming through now into his batting has been sensational, he played some very much a captain's knock through the early parts of this tournament."
McClenaghan has also given praise for Kishan's captaincy after the batsman temporarily took the reigns of the side mid-tournament. "Sometimes if you come in as skipper and you drop back out as skipper (then) it is a bit easier, you can do that if you come in as part-time captain. What I love though is that he hasn't. He's come in, still thinking like a skipper, and still leading his side."
Kishan's knock at the Chepauk pitch which was tough to play on came after the early dismissal of Travis Head at 6. Abhishek Sharma also chipped in with 26 but with some hard hitting from Klaasen of 47 off 26 deliveries he and Kishan provided the spark. Their 75-run partnership in 41 balls was instrumental for the win.
Previously in the innings for the Super Kings, Dewald Brevis provided with 44. Short contributions also from Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma put on the board with Cummins with young bowlers Sakib Husain and Praful Hinge restricting them to 180/7. This match confirms SRH's spot in the playoffs.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see Kishan stepping up. But honestly, I still feel he needs to work on consistency against top-quality pace. That 70 was brilliant, but we've seen him throw it away after getting starts too many times. The captaincy improvement is undeniable though – he's reading the game much better now.
As someone who follows IPL from the US, I'm amazed at how Ishan has transformed! That partnership with Klaasen was pure class – the way they rotated strike and then exploded. McClenaghan's insight about Kishan still thinking like a captain even after stepping down is such a great point. True leadership!
Yaar, this SRH team is something else! From that horror start to playoffs – amazing turnaround. Kishan's captaincy has been the X-factor. But let's not forget the bowlers – Cummins, Sakib, and Hinge restricting CSK to 180 on that pitch was equally crucial. Team effort hai yeh! 💪
I remember when Kishan first came into MI – raw talent but so impulsive. McClenaghan is right about the emotional maturity. That sweep shot he played against Jadeja under pressure? Unbelievable. If he keeps this up, India's T20 team will have a serious headache (in a good way) about who keeps wickets!
McClenaghan always gives honest analysis – love how he doesn't just praise but explains the *why*. Kishan's maturity really showed in that innings – pacing the chase perfectly when Head fell early. Also, cheeky performance
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